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Joe E. Tata

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Joe E. Tata
Tata in 2002
Born
Joseph Evan Tata

(1936-09-13)September 13, 1936
DiedAugust 24, 2022(2022-08-24) (aged 85)
OccupationActor
Years active1960–2014
Known forBeverly Hills, 90210
SpouseSusan Levy (m. 1976; divorced)
ChildrenKelly Katharine Tata

Joseph Evan Tata (September 13, 1936 – August 24, 2022) was an American television actor. He was known for his regular role (1990–2000) as Nat Bussichio, the owner and operator of the Peach Pit diner, in the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spin-off 90210.[1][1]: 768  A prolific character actor, Tata was previously best known for his portrayal of Private Neddick on No Time for Sergeants (1964–1965), and his roles on dozens of shows including The Rockford Files and Batman.[1]: 769 

Tata was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018. He died in Los Angeles on August 24, 2022, at the age of 85.[2]

Early life

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Joseph Evan Tata was born on September 13, 1936, in The Bronx borough of New York City. His father was John Lucas, a vaudevillian who sometimes performed as Rosey the Singing Barber.[3]

Career

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After being cast in his first television role in Peter Gunn in 1960, Tata went on to be a prolific character actor, appearing in dozens of shows in a variety of bit parts. Specializing in science fiction on shows like Lost in Space, Tata first became recognizable for playing henchmen on the original Batman and for his appearances on The Rockford Files.[3]

Tata's most famous role came later in life, when he was cast as Nat Bussichio on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210. Though the show came off to a rocky start, it soon became a massive hit and cultural phenomenon, with Tata's portrayal of the kind father figure who owned the fictional Peach Pit diner earning him acclaim. Across the show's ten seasons, Tata would appear in 238 episodes. When the show was rebooted in the 2000s as 90210, Tata reprised his role on three occasions.[3]

After appearing as Principal Frost on the ABC Family sitcom Mystery Girls in 2014, Tata retired from acting, following a more than five decade career.[4]

Personal life

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Tata married Susan Levy on October 30, 1976, and the two subsequently divorced. They had one child, Kelly Katharine Tata.[3]

Death

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Tata was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018.[5] His daughter Kelly created a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of his care, which continued after his death to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.[6] Tata died on August 24, 2022, at a care facility in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles at the age of eighty-five.[7][8]

Tributes to Tata were paid by a large number of entertainment industry figures, including Beverly Hills, 90210 co-stars Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Vincent Young, and Brian Austin Green,[9] and author Kim Gruenenfelder.[10] A segment on Good Morning America depicting photo and video tributes from the cast and loved ones quickly went viral following Tata's death.[11]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1960 Peter Gunn Arthur Curtis 1 episode
1963−1964 The Outer Limits Alien bastard / Radar Operator 2 episodes
1964 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Joey Lombardi 2 episodes
1964−1965 No Time for Sergeants Private Neddick 5 episodes
1964−1966 Ben Casey Dr. Wayne Marlow / Dr. Michael Stone 2 episodes
1964−1967 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Corpsman / Frank Brent / Farrell 3 episodes
1965 Mister Roberts Everett 1 episode
Hank Johnson 1 episode
1966 Hogan's Heroes Tony Garlotti Episode: "The Pizza Parlor"
The Time Tunnel Verlaine / Napoleon Bonaparte 2 episodes
1966−1968 Batman Goon / Tallow / Suleiman 5 episodes
1966–1972 Mission: Impossible Al / King Said of Karak / Roulette Croupier 3 episodes
1967 Lost in Space Short Alien / Robot Judge / Purple Robot / Computer Eye / Zalto's Dumm 5 episodes
Batgirl Mothman #1 TV short
1968 Cimarron Strip Gomer 1 episode
1969 The Good Guys Lab Worker 1 episode
1970 Bracken's World Wounded G.I. 1 episode
The Immortal Morrison—Monitor 1 episode
Which Way to the Front? Corporal Uncredited
Along Came a Spider Doctor Hernandez TV movie
1971 The D.A. Lt. Ficklen 1 episode
Green Acres Bellboy 1 episode
D.A.: Conspiracy to Kill TV movie
1971–1972 O'Hara, U.S. Treasury Ted Wilson / Dick Miles / Special Agent Bertino 3 episodes
1971–1973 The F.B.I. Elliot / Al Naylor / Barney Leeds 3 episodes
Mannix Augie / Fred Eby / Gas Station Attendant 3 episodes
1972 Hickey & Boggs Coroner's Assistant (as Joe Tata)
Unholy Rollers Marshall
A Clock Work Blue Homer
1972-1973 Adam-12 Craig Hanawad / Frank Ducas / Noel Simmons Episodes: "Sub-Station", "Easy Rap", "Training Division: The Rookie"
Temperatures Rising Groom / Nails 2 episodes
1973 Emergency! Neighbor 1 episode
Love, American Style Chip 1 episode / Segment: "Love and the Burglar Joke"
1974 Ironside Garvey 1 episode
Toma Mark 1 episode
It's Good to Be Alive 'Pee Wee' Reese TV movie
1974−1978 The Rockford Files Solly Marshall / Sal / Norman Abbott Kline / Mike Trevino / Willie / Agent Hanzer 8 episodes
1975 Cannon Higgins / Joe Slosser 2 episodes
Death Scream Detective Linsky TV movie
Dead Man on the Run Bobby Dimasco TV movie
The Last Survivors Charley TV movie
Mobile Two Father John Lucas TV movie
1975−1978 Police Story Dooley / Jimmy Ricks / Det. Loftus 3 episodes
1976 Sisters of Death Joe (as Joe Tata)
The Streets of San Francisco Bobby Waldron 1 episode
Monster Squad Trouble 1 episode
The Blue Knight 1 episode
1977 Barnaby Jones Little Angel 1 episode
Police Woman Blat 1 episode
Most Wanted Toller 1 episode
A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story Lefty Gomez TV movie
Kill Me If You Can Kelton TV movie
1978 Quincy, M.E. Tony DeMarco Episode: "Accomplice to Murder"
Wonder Woman Joe Episode: "The Fine Art of Crime"
Terror Out of the Sky Groves TV movie
Confessions of the D.A. Man Lt. Ficklen TV movie
The Bastard Voice Uncredited
1980 Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop TV movie
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II Pete TV movie
1980–1981 Vega$ Vinnie Rilato / Mickey Enright / Dixon 3 episodes
1981 Days of Our Lives Warren 2 episodes
Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls Art Williams TV miniseries
1983 Hotel Jimbo 1 episode
1984 Finder of Lost Loves Nick 1 episode
The Fall Guy Assistant Director 1 episode
Simon & Simon Bartender 1 episode
The New Mike Hammer John Box 1 episode
1985 The A-Team Bookie McGrudy Episode: "Champ!"
Hollywood Wives Elliot 2 episodes
Matt Houston Dr. Dyre 1 episode
Hollywood Beat Earl Cain 1 episode
Crazy Like a Fox 1 episode
1986 Hill Street Blues Fratelli / Fratello Episodes: "Das Blues", "Slum Enchanted Evening"
1987 General Hospital Rudy King Unknown number of episodes
Magnum P.I. Benny Travis, the P.I. Episode: "Innocence... A Broad"
High Mountain Rangers Joseph 'Nitro' Capelli 1 episode
Tales from the Darkside Alex Hayes 1 episode
1989 Snoops Finley 1 episode
Jesse Hawkes 1 episode
1990−2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Nat Bussichio / Sal Bussichio 238 episodes
1991 Hunter Mr. Trickle Episode: "The Reporter"
1992 Love Is Like That Norm
1996 Terminal Lt. Johns TV movie
1999 The Dishpan Man Gino Short film
2001 Charmed Police Inspector Episode: "Look Who's Barking"
2003 Everyone Counts Detective Short film
2008 90210 Nat Bussichio 3 episodes
2014 Mystery Girls Principal Frost Episode: "High School Mystery"[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  2. ^ Panaligan, EJ. "Joe E. Tata, Peach Pit Owner on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' Dies at 85". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Diaz, Johnny (August 26, 2022). "Joe E. Tata, Peach Pit Owner in 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "TATA'S THE REAL KING OF THE 'HILLS' AFTER NINE YEARS, 90210'S PEACH PIT OWNER STILL HAS THE SAME ZIP CODE". Philadelphia Daily News (PA). Philadelphia Daily News. September 16, 1998. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  5. ^ Garvey, Marianne (August 25, 2022). "Joe E. Tata, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actor, dead at 85". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Maldonado, Daisy (August 25, 2022). "Joe E. Tata's "Devastated" Daughter Kelly Recalls His Final Moments Amid Alzheimer's Battle". E! News. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Barnes, Mike (2022-08-25). "Joe E. Tata, Peach Pit Owner Nat on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' Dies at 85". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  8. ^ Rice, Lynette (2022-08-25). "Joe E. Tata Dies: 'Beverly Hills, 90210 Actor' Was 85". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  9. ^ Siwak, Miranda (August 26, 2022). "'Beverly Hills, 90210' Cast Mourns Former Costar Joe E. Tata Following Death: Ian Ziering, Shannen Doherty and More". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Gruenenfelder, Kim (August 25, 2022). "Joey Tata passed away earlier today". Facebook. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Costantino, George (August 26, 2022). "Late 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actor Joe E. Tata remembered by his co-stars". Good Morning America. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
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