Joe E. Tata Dies: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210 Actor’ Was 85
He was not on the list.
Joe E. Tata, the actor best known for playing Nat on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died. He was 85.
His longtime 90210 costar Ian Ziering announced his death Thursday on Instagram. Tata’s character was the owner of the Peach Pit.
“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,” Zeiring wrote. “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. 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 continued. “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.”
n 2018, Tata was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to.his daughter Kelly, who started a GoFundMe account to help with finances. She had served as her father’s caregiver until he “unwittingly signed documents which entered him into a conservatorship. He maintains that he agreed to this conservatorship under duress.”
Kelly Tata added she was admitted to a hospital “amid my own health struggles,” she wrote.
Born in New York City, Tata’s early career included roles on General Hospital, The Outer Limits and Mister Roberts. His career in TV flourished in the 1970s and ’80s — he appeared in multiple cop dramas like Mannix, Adam-12, The F.B.I. and The Streets of San Francisco — but he truly became a household name when he joined 90210 as the beloved owner of the Peach Pit. He was on the show for 10 seasons.
His final role on TV was in ABC Family’s Mystery Girls. That’s when his health “took a turn for the worse,” Kelly wrote.
“Nat was a loving father figure to the kids of West Beverly High,” she wrote. “In real life, my Dad, Joey, is honest, kind, and a truly incredible father.”
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Joey Lombardi 2 Episodes
1964-1965 No Time for Sergeants Private Neddick 5 Episodes
1966 Hogan's Heroes Tony Garlotti Episode: "The Pizza Parlor"
1966 The Time Tunnel Napoleon Bonaparte Episode: "Reign of Terror"
1966-1968 Batman Goon / Tallow / Suleiman 5 episodes
1967 Lost in Space Short Alien / Robot Judge / Purple Robot / Computer Eye / Zalto's Dumm 5 episodes
1969 Mission: Impossible King Said of Karak Episode: "Nitro"
1970 Which Way to the Front? Corporal Uncredited
1972 Hickey & Boggs Coroner's Assistant
1972 A Clock Work Blue Homer
1974-1978 The Rockford Files Solly Marshall / Sal / Norman Abbott Kline / Mike Trevino / Willie / Agent Hanzer 8 episodes
1976 Sisters of Death Joe
1978 Quincy, M.E. Tony DeMarco Episode: "Accomplice to Murder"
1978 Wonder Woman Joe Episode: "The Fine Art of Crime"
1985 The A-Team Bookie McGrudy Episode: "Champ!"
1986 Hill Street Blues Fratelli / Fratello Episodes: "Das Blues", "Slum Enchanted Evening"
1987 General Hospital Rudy King Unknown number of episodes
1987 Magnum P.I. Benny Travis, the P.I. Episode: "Innocence... A Broad"
1990-2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Nat Bussichio / Sal Bussichio 238 episodes
1992 Love Is Like That Norm
2001 Charmed Police Inspector Episode: "Look Who's Barking"
2008 90210 Nat Bussichio
2014 Mystery Girls Principal Frost Episode: "High School Mystery" Reference
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