Character actor Peter Scolari died October 22, 2021 in New York City as a result of cancer at the age of 66.
Scolari made his screen debut in 1978 and appeared both on Broadway and in over 100 film and television productions, but it wasn’t until his 1980 appearance opposite Tom Hanks in the sitcom “Bosom Buddies” – where the duo appeared in drag – that he became a well known figure.
Scolari also appeared on the screen with Bob Newhart and went on to be friends for over 40 years. Newhart, who is 92, spoke on Scolari’s passing saying, “in life, he was a fantastic person, and it was a joy to work together. He will be sorely missed and his passing at 66 is much too early. Newhart added, “the contributions of on-screen couple Scolari and Julia Duffy in ‘Newhart’ were an “essential part” of the show’s success.” The role earned Scolari three Emmy nominations.
He finally earned his Emmy Award in 2016 for his role as Ted Horvat – a character who came out as gay – in “Girls”.
He made is Broadway debut in 2003 as Wilbur Turnglad in “Hairspray”. Scolari has also appeared in “Wicked”, “Sly Fox”, “Magic/Bird”, “Lucky Guy”, and “Bronx Bombers” where he played Yogi Berra. His other stage roles include the role of Vince Fontaine in the national tour of “Grease”, “Old Man Joseph and His Family”, “The Exonerated”, “In the Wings”, “Whit’es Lies”, “It Must Be Him”, “Dear Elizabeth”, and “The True”.
Scolari’s other film and television roles include “Happy Days”, “Hotel”, “The Love Boat”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Diagnosis Murder: The House on Sycamore Street”, “Empty Nest”, “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”, “Dave’s World”, “That Thing You Do”, “The Nanny”, “From the Earth to the Moon”, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Series’, “Touched by an Angel”, “Reba”, “E.R.”, “The West Wing”, “American Dad!”, “Gotham”, “Blue Bloods”, and his final role as Bishop Thomas Marx in “Evil”.
He was born on September 12, 1955 in New Rochelle, New York.
Scolari is survived by his fourth wife and fellow actor Tracy and children – Nicholas, Josheph, Keaton, and Cali.
feature photo credit: Peter Scolari in White’s Lies cast.jpg