Joe E. Tata ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Stars Pay Tribute – Aumag
The cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 pays tribute to Joe E. Tata after his death.
The 85-year-old popular actor, best known for owning the Peach Pit on the long-running series, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014.
News of his death was announced by former cast member Ian Ziering on Instagram after two other co-stars recently died.
“In the last few months we have lost Jessica Klein, one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse, who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I am very sad to announce that Joe E. Tata has passed away,” wrote Ziering in his diary. Post.
“Joey really was an OG, I remember seeing him with James Garner on ‘The Rockford Files’ years before we worked on ‘90210’.”
The pair starred alongside original series stars Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris and the late Luke Perry.
“He was often one of the background villains in the original ‘Batman’ series,” adds Ziering. “One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness.”
Tata appeared in 238 episodes of “90210” from 1990 to 2000 as Nat Bussichio – the owner of the diner where the high school students dined.
He reprized his role in several appearances in the show’s spin-off.
Tributes poured in after Tata’s death, and many of his 90210 co-stars took to social media to pay their respects to him.
“We lost our family and good friend Joe E. Tata,” co-star Tori Spelling wrote on Instagram alongside a series of snaps of the couple.
The actress, who played Donna Martin on the hit series, remembered Tata as “one of the kindest, funniest, most professional and amazing people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and most importantly, befriended in my entire life.” “
Speaking of his sense of humor, Spelling said that Tata’s “performance was always perfect. He let us down.”
“He made long working days seem short. He was the ultimate pro. I loved listening to the amazing stories he would tell,” she added.
Elsewhere in her emotional tribute, Spelling revealed that she asked the writers to let Tata’s character walk her down the aisle on the show.
“It meant a lot to me. Personally and professionally,” she explained. “Based on our close real-life friendship and the fact that he was a fun, caring, loyal and protective male role model to me, it was how it was supposed to be.”
Brian Austin Green also paid tribute to the late actor, sharing a clip of the couple hugging on Instagram.
“Joey was definitely a family member and we will miss him but remember him fondly,” he wrote.
Actress Jennie Garth, who played Kelly Taylor on the show, wrote, “I have a very sad heart but I will always remember that smile and that mischievous, loving laugh.”
Paying his respects to the other cast members who died, Garth continued, “I have a feeling there’s a reunion party taking place in heaven at the Peach Pit and I take comfort in the knowledge that there will be a place for me each day to be surrounded from my dear friends.
“Sending hugs to everyone who loved Joey today. Loss is so hard… #beverlyhills90210,” she added.
Elsewhere, Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh, posted a snap of her and Tata to her Instagram story as a tribute.
Ziering shared his own tribute to Tata on social media, saying he was a fan of the actor before working with him.
“Joey really was an OG, I remember seeing him with James Garner on The Rockford Files years before we worked together on 90210. He was often one of the background villains in the original Batman series,” he wrote.
He said Tata was “one of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, as generous with his wisdom as he is with his kindness.”
Jason Priestly, who played Brandon Walsh on 90210, wrote in his tribute- “Today we lost my dear friend and TV executive Joe E. Tata. Nat Busiccio was a big part of Beverly Hills 90210 and Joey was a big part of my life. rest in peace joe Never again.”
Tata’s other credits include “Magnum, PI”, “The Rockford Files”, “Hill Street Blues”, “Batman” and “The A-Team”.
His last television appearance was in 2014 when he appeared on ABC Family’s Mystery Girls alongside 90210 stars Spelling and Garth.
The 90210 family has lost several cast members in recent years, including actor Luke Perry, who died in March 2019 at the age of 52.
The actor, who played Dylan McKay on the hit series, was hospitalized after suffering a stroke and died five days later.