Joe E Tata dead aged 85: Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars mourn 'generous' Batman actor
JOE E.TATA has died aged 85, with his death being announced by his former co-star Ian Ziering.
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Joe E. Tata has died aged 85, with the long-serving Beverly Hills, 90210 actor being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2018. His former co-star Ian Zeiring, 58, shared a heartbreaking tribute to the "happiest" person he had ever worked with.
Joey was truly an OG!
Ian took to Instagram to share two pictures of the late actor along with a touching statement in view of his 552,000 followers.
He wrote: "In the last few months we’ve lost Jessica Klein, one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m very sad to say Joe E Tata has passed away.
"Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the Rockford files with James Garner years before we worked together on 90210.
"He was often one of the background villains in the original Batman series.
"One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness."
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He continued: "Though the peach pit was a 90210 set, It often felt like the backdrop to the Joe E Tata show.
"The stories of days gone by that he would share, incredible experiences in the entertainment industry that he was a part of would keep us all captivated.
"He may have been in the back of many scenes, but he was a leading force, especially to us guys, on how to appreciate the gift that 90210 was.
"My smile dims today but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart where he will always be. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and everyone else he was dear too. Rest In peace Joey."
The actor is best known for his role as Nat Bussichio from the popular show.
Joe played Nat on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 until 2000 as a regular recurring character on the American teen drama series.
He portrayed the owner and operator of the Peach Pit diner and later reprised his role on the show's spinoff.
Joe launched his career into stardom as Private Neddick in the 1964 comedy series No Time for Sergeants.
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Prior to his role on Beverly Hills, 90210, the actor appeared in eight episodes of the 1970s series The Rockford Files.
He also played various villains in the original Batman series in 1966 including Goon, Tallow and Suleiman.
According to Joe's daughter, Kelly, the actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2018 and set up a GoFundMe page to help fund operations.
She had served as her father’s caregiver until he entered into a conservatorship.
His daughter revealed that his health "took a turn for the worse" after his final TV role in ABC's Mystery Girls.
She wrote: "Nat was a loving father figure to the kids of West Beverly High.
"In real life, my Dad, Joey, is honest, kind, and a truly incredible father."