Joe Marinelli, an actor who had roles on TV shows like “General Hospital,” “Santa Barbara” and “The Morning Show,” died Sunday. He was 68.
Marinelli’s friend, Leigh J. McCloskey, confirmed the death on Facebook. “I knew Joe was sick and so admired his indefatigable spirit throughout what sounded like a very difficult, if not impossible, ordeal. Joe was a champion,” McCloskey wrote.
Marinelli was born in Connecticut and studied at Loyola Marymount University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His early acting gigs included roles on shows like “Cagney & Lacey,” “L.A. Law” and “Hill Street Blues.”
His larger TV roles included playing Bunny Tagliatti in “Santa Barbara,” Jospeh Sorel on “General Hospital” and Donny Spagnoli in “The Morning Show.” Additionally, he had smaller appearances across several major series like “The West Wing,” “House,” “Parenthood,” “Victorious,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “The Offer.” Marinelli also appeared in the Alexander Payne film “Sideways” and was credited as Frass Canyon Pourer.
“He was a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical friend, passionate believer in people, and a storyteller extraordinaire that with laughter and depth revealed the human spirit so beautifully and in so many different ways,” McCloskey added. “He has a beautiful, incredibly talented family that reflects his love of music and art and with his amazing wife Jean, together they always radiated generous and noble hearts. It saddens me greatly to say goodbye to my old friend and his belief in the goodness, and even the possible greatness of the human adventure.”
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