Veteran Hollywood actor James Farentino dies at age of 73

LOS ANGELES – Actor James Farentino, who played more than 100 roles in TV, film and on stage, has died at the age of 73, a family spokesman said yesterday.

Bob Palmer said Farentino died of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai hospital after a long illness.

The actor had starred alongside Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen in the 1980 science fiction film The Final Countdown , and had recurring roles in Dynasty, Melrose Place, The Bold Ones, The Lawyers and ER. 

Farentino was a regular face in ER , where he played the father of George Clooney’s character.

He received an Emmy nomination for his role as disciple Simon Peter in the mini-series Jesus of Nazareth and was critically acclaimed for his performance as Stanley Kowalski in a 1973 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire .

Farentino, who was married four times, became as well known for his life off camera.

In 1994 he pleaded no contest to a stalking ex-girlfriend Tina Sinatra, the daughter of singer Frank Sinatra, which derailed his acting career.

His most recent acting credit was in the 2006 TV comedy movie Drive/II. 

Farentino’s movie roles included comedy The Pad and How to Use it for which he received a Golden Globe Award as most promising newcomer in 1967.

He also appeared in the 1996 Adam Sandler action caper Bulletproof. 

Farentino is survived by his fourth wife Stella and two sons.

– (Reuters)

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