Lorin Williams October 23rd, 2021 - 7:38 AM
Veteran TV actor, Peter Scolari, died Friday after a two-year battle with cancer, via CNN. Best known for his roles on 80s sitcoms Bosom Buddies and Newhart, Scolari appeared in numerous films, TV series, and stage productions. His manager, Ellen Lubin Santisky, confirmed his passing to the news outlet.
Most recently seen on Paramount+’s supernatural drama, Evil, as Bishop Thomas Marx, Scolari had a sweep spot for comedy. His career took off most-notably as Tom Hanks’ (Finch, A League of Their Own) co-star in the two-season ABC sitcom, Bosom Buddies, in which the duo played New York City ad agents who masqueraded as women to live in a cheaper all-women’s apartment building. Later, he joined the cast of CBS’s Newhart, where he played Michael Harris. The role earned him three Emmy nominations. Co-stars Bob Newhart (The Bob Newhart Show, the Big Bang Theory) and Julia Duffy (Designing Women, Looking) paid tribute to their friend via Twitter.
I knew that Peter was sick, but his death comes as a great shock. We were friends for over 40 years. Julia and Peter were an essential part of the success of “Newhart.” He was a fantastic person & a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed, his passing at 66 is way too early. pic.twitter.com/qGu5wMQKfr
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) October 22, 2021
No better partner.💔 pic.twitter.com/p5NFP8eLUm
— julia duffy (@mybadauditions) October 22, 2021
The tributes continued to pour out for Scolari, who in 2016 won an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy for his role as Lena Dunham’s (genera+tion, Industry) father, Tad Horvath, on the HBO comedy, Girls. Dunham described Scolari as “The shyest extrovert, the most dramatic comedian, the most humble icon,” in an Instagram post via Deadline.
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In addition to his numerous screen roles, which included TV’s Murphy Brown, Gotham and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; and, movies such as Camp Nowhere and That Thing You Do!, Scolari found success on Broadway. According to CNN, he appeared in shows such as Wicked, Sly Fox, Lucky Guy, and Hairspray. Hairspray co-star Harvey Fierstien (Mrs. Doubtfire, Mulan) tweeted “There wasn’t a sweeter man on the planet” in a Twitter post about his cast mate.
Sad to see the news that Peter Scolari lost his battle with cancer. There wasn’t a sweeter man on the planet. We performed together in HAIRSPRAY for a time and he was always a total delight. Farewell, dear Peter.https://t.co/1TPjakwLT3
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) October 22, 2021
At the height of his career, Scolari suffered years of substance misuse, which he revealed in an Oprah: Where Are They Now interview in 2014. He detailed how he became clean in his 40s, where he was also diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. According to CNN, Scolari leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Tracy Shayne, and four children, Nicholas, Joseph, Keaton and Cali.
