Joe Marinelli obit

Joe Marinelli, General Hospital and Santa Barbara Alum, Has Passed Away at 68

 

He was not on the list.

Joe Marinelli, who played Bunny Tagliatti on Santa Barbara from 1988-90, Pauly Hardman on Guiding Light in 1993 and Joseph Sorel on General Hospital from 1999-2001, has passed away at the age of 68.

The actor, who was born on January 21, 1957, in Meriden, Connecticut, had been struggling with his health for the past few years while also appearing on Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s Apple TV+ hit, The Morning Show, as the show-within-a-show’s director, Donny Spagnoli. In 2022, the entire cast won a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

The actor attended Loyola Marymount University and studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He appeared in many theater productions and his first prime-time appearance was on an episode of Cagney & Lacey in 1984. Two episodes of Paper Dolls soon followed that same year. Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law were next, with the latter reportedly being seen by Jill Farren Phelps, the executive producer of Santa Barbara, who brought him in for the part of gangster/cross-dresser Bunny. Bunny’s antics alongside Robin Mattson’s Gina became a fan favorite, and Marinelli would go on to win a Soap Opera Digest award in the Outstanding Comedic Performance in Daytime Television category in 1990.

Phelps would later reteam with Marinelli on both GL and GH when she was executive-producing those shows. On GL, Marinelli played the short-term role of vengeful bank robber Pauly, who had it in for Ross Marler, and on GH, his alter ego Joseph Sorel was a mobster who tangled with Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and who was eventually killed by his daughter, Angel.

In addition to his work on daytime, Marinelli continued to make his mark in prime-time, appearing on shows like ER, The West Wing and Desperate Housewives, as well as theater, he was also in films like Sideways, Skylab, The Assassination of Richard Nixon and One Last Ride.

In Tribute

Leigh McCloskey, who played rapist Dr. Zach Kelton, and later Zach’s doppelganger, Ethan Asher on SB, paid tribute to his longtime friend on his Facebook account. Alongside an image of the actors with fellow SB alum A Martinez (ex-Cruz), McCloskey wrote, “A sweeter man or a dearer friend you could not find than Joe Marinelli. I knew Joe was sick and so admired his indefatigable spirit throughout what sounded like a very difficult, if not impossible, ordeal. Joe was a champion. He was a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical friend, passionate believer in people, and a storyteller extraordinaire that with laughter and depth revealed the human spirit so beautifully and in so many different ways.

“He has a beautiful, incredibly talented family that reflects his love of music and art and with his amazing wife Jean, together they always radiated generous and noble hearts,” McCloskey continued. “It saddens me greatly to say goodbye to my old friend and his belief in the goodness, and even the possible greatness of the human adventure. I’m glad I walked this earth with you Joe. Godspeed old friend, may your spirit soar beyond the stars and reacquaint you with the greater wonder from which you came. You shared your de-light with us, and now return home. We’ll see you on the other side of forever, in Light and with your Legacy in our hearts. My profound condolences to Jean, Vincent and David. Love, Leigh, Carla, Caytlyn and Brighton + Olandar.”

Soap Opera Digest sends our heartfelt condolences to Marinelli’s family as well as his former co-workers, friends and fans.

Writer

Joe Marinelli in Giuseppe's Opus (2019)

Giuseppe's Opus

Short

Writer

2019

 

Actor

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon in The Morning Show (2019)

The Morning Show

8.1

TV Series

Donny Spagnoli

2019–2023

22 episodes

 

Paul Reiser, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville, Calum Worthy, Keegan-Michael Key, Rachel Bloom, and Krista Marie Yu in Reboot (2022)

Reboot

7.4

TV Series

Host

2022

1 episode

 

Giovanni Ribisi, Dan Fogler, Patrick Gallo, Matthew Goode, Juno Temple, and Miles Teller in The Offer (2022)

The Offer

8.6

TV Mini Series

Peter Lovano

2022

2 episodes

 

Just Roll with It (2019)

Just Roll with It

5.3

TV Series

Jerry The Handyman

2021

1 episode

 

Hollywood (2020)

Hollywood

7.5

TV Mini Series

Sidney Franklin

2020

1 episode

 

Joe Marinelli in Giuseppe's Opus (2019)

Giuseppe's Opus

Short

Giuseppe

2019

 

Damon Wayans and Seann William Scott in Lethal Weapon (2016)

Lethal Weapon

7.8

TV Series

Stan

2018

1 episode

 

Kathy Bates in Disjointed (2017)

Disjointed

6.8

TV Series

Salvatore Scarlotti

2018

1 episode

 

Issa Rae in Insecure (2016)

Insecure

8.1

TV Series

Jeweler

2016

1 episode

 

Vanessa Marano and Katie Leclerc in Switched at Birth (2011)

Switched at Birth

7.7

TV Series

Motorist

2015

1 episode

 

Ming-Na Wen, Clark Gregg, Iain De Caestecker, Nick Blood, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, and Elizabeth Henstridge in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

7.5

TV Series

Adamo Dioli

2014

1 episode

 

Sean Bean in Legends (2014)

Legends

7.4

TV Series

Professor

2014

1 episode

 

Liev Schreiber in Ray Donovan (2013)

Ray Donovan

8.3

TV Series

Amelio

2013

1 episode

 

Desperate Housewives (2004)

Desperate Housewives

7.6

TV Series

Father

2011

1 episode

 

Jake Farrow, Daniella Monet, Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas III, Avan Jogia, Elizabeth Gillies, Matt Bennett, and Ariana Grande in Victorious (2010)

Victorious

7.0

TV Series

Chancellor's Minion

2011

1 episode

 

Bonnie Bedelia, Craig T. Nelson, Monica Potter, Joy Bryant, Erika Christensen, Lauren Graham, Sam Jaeger, Peter Krause, Mae Whitman, Dax Shepard, Max Burkholder, Miles Heizer, Tyree Brown, Savannah Paige Rae, and Xolo Maridueña in Parenthood (2010)

Parenthood

8.3

TV Series

Professor Romano

2010

1 episode

 

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic in Castle (2009)

Castle

8.1

TV Series

Jimmy Moran

2009

1 episode

 

Hugh Laurie in House (2004)

House

8.7

TV Series

Director

2008

1 episode

 

Numb3rs (2005)

Numb3rs

6.9

TV Series

Phillip Berelli

2007

1 episode

 

Love Made Easy (2006)

Love Made Easy

6.2

Mafioso (Benito)

2006

 

Cutting Room (2006)

Cutting Room

5.1

Vincent

2006

 

Skylab (2005)

Skylab

7.1

Short

Fred Masters

2005

 

Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti in Sideways (2004)

Sideways

7.5

Frass Canyon Pourer

2004

 

The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)

The Assassination of Richard Nixon

6.9

Mel Samuels

2004

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)

The Practice

7.7

TV Series

Rocco

2004

2 episodes

 

One Last Ride (2004)

One Last Ride

4.5

Carmine

2004

 

Rob Lowe, Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Dulé Hill, Moira Kelly, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford in The West Wing (1999)

The West Wing

8.9

TV Series

Morris

2002

1 episode

 

NYPD Blue (1993)

NYPD Blue

7.8

TV Series

Gene GreavesDanny DeMarco

1997–2002

2 episodes

 

The District (2000)

The District

7.2

TV Series

Cutter's Attorney

2002

1 episode

 

Finola Hughes, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Genie Francis, Kelly Monaco, Laura Wright, Donnell Turner, Tanisha Harper, Josh Kelly, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, and Tabyana Ali in General Hospital (1963)

General Hospital

6.6

TV Series

Joseph Sorel

1999–2001

14 episodes

 

Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, and Tracey Needham in JAG (1995)

JAG

6.7

TV Series

Messers

2000

1 episode

 

Jerry Stiller, Kevin James, and Leah Remini in The King of Queens (1998)

The King of Queens

7.4

TV Series

Neal

1999

1 episode

 

Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Joey

1997

1 episode

 

Peter Onorati and Sam Robards in Donor Unknown (1995)

Donor Unknown

4.7

TV Movie

Paolo

1995

 

Carrie-Anne Moss, Cassidy Rae, Teresa Hill, Stephanie Romanov, and Kylie Travis in Models Inc. (1994)

Models Inc.

6.3

TV Series

Stan Driscoll

1995

1 episode

 

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992)

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures

5.4

TV Series

Giacomo Casanova

1992

1 episode

 

Mann & Machine (1992)

Mann & Machine

7.4

TV Series

Mr. Cromwell

1992

1 episode

 

DEA (1990)

DEA

7.6

TV Series

Anthony Maracotta Jr.

1991

1 episode

 

The Passion of Martin (1991)

The Passion of Martin

6.5

Father

1991

 

Midnight Caller (1988)

Midnight Caller

7.8

TV Series

Tony D'Arco

1991

1 episode

 

Sarah Jessica Parker, Debrah Farentino, James Wilder, George DiCenzo, Jane Kaczmarek, Kathleen Lloyd, Barry Miller, Joe Morton, and Jon Tenney in Equal Justice (1990)

Equal Justice

6.2

TV Series

D'Alessio

1991

1 episode

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Mickey Dolan

1991

1 episode

 

They Came from Outer Space (1990)

They Came from Outer Space

6.6

TV Series

Dino Manze

1991

1 episode

 

Robin Wright, Judith Anderson, Valorie Armstrong, Melissa Reeves, Robert Alan Browne, Paul Burke, Ismael 'East' Carlo, Margarita Cordova, Nicolas Coster, Lane Davies, Richard Eden, Gina Gallego, Linda Gibboney, Andrea Howard, Ava Lazar, A Martinez, Todd McKee, John Allen Nelson, Rupert Ravens, Julie Ronnie, Kerry Sherman, Louise Sorel, Jonna Leigh Stack, Marcy Walker, and Dane Witherspoon in Santa Barbara (1984)

Santa Barbara

5.7

TV Series

Bunny Tagliatti

1988–1990

171 episodes

 

Marie Nakano and Sala Iwamatsu in Two Lies (1990)

Two Lies

7.0

Short

Nick

1990

 

L.A. Law (1986)

L.A. Law

7.1

TV Series

Gordon Bass

1987

1 episode

 

Nick Mancuso in Stingray (1986)

Stingray

7.4

TV Series

Guard #1

1986

1 episode

 

Carmen (1985)

Carmen

5.1

Short

Joey

1985

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Mortuary Guy

1985

1 episode

 

Paper Dolls (1984)

Paper Dolls

6.7

TV Series

Assistant Director (uncredited)

1984

2 episodes

 

Cagney & Lacey (1981)

Cagney & Lacey

6.9

TV Series

Crime Scene Officer

1984

1 episode

 

Guiding Light (1952)

Guiding Light

6.6

TV Series

Pauly (1993)

1952–2009

 

Producer

Joe Marinelli in Giuseppe's Opus (2019)

Giuseppe's Opus

Short

producer

2019