Joseph Campanella, Longtime TV Actor, Dead at 93

Veteran character actor Joseph Campanella, known for his gaunt, rugged good looks and deep voice, died Wednesday, May 16, THR reports. The prolific actor, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, was 93.

Handsome Campanella appeared on Broadway several times, including in 1962's "A Gift of Time" with Olivia de Havilland and Henry Fonda, a performance rewarded with a Tony nomination.

It was TV where he made his biggest impact, making his debut on the early TV series "Suspense" in 1952 and working steadily in the medium until a 2008 guest spot on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Along the way, Campanella appeared on close to 200 series, including "Mannix" (1967-1972), for which he received an Emmy nomination; as an old flame of Mary Richards' on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1973); as the love interest of Bonnie Franklin's character on "One Day at a Time" (1976-1982) and Hollywood legend Barbara Stanwyck's character on "The Colbys" (1985-1986); opposite fellow guest star George Clooney on a classic episode of "The Golden Girls" (1987); and a long stint on the soap "The Bold and the Beautiful" (1996-2005).

His feature films, which were few and far between, included the rat thriller "Ben" (1972) and the disaster flick "Meteor" (1979). He retired from acting following his final films, "For Heaven's Sake" (2008) and "Lost Dream" (2009).

When he wasn't on screen, Campanella was a popular narrator, TV pitchman, and voice-over artist.

Campanella's family released the following statement after his death: "The passing of our father Joseph Campanella brings deep sorrow to our family and friends but also profound gratitude that he is at peace and appreciation for the man he was and the life he lived. He died peacefully with his loving wife beside him after a full 93 years of life, and we celebrate him as an artist whose professionalism and talent profoundly influenced so many with whom he worked and especially as a father and husband who valued love and family above all. As an actor, coach, benefactor and friend, our father's positive impact on people of all generations, from his sons to old colleagues and little league baseball players, is immeasurable. His memory and legacy of kindness and generosity will live on in his wife Jill, their seven sons, four daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, and countless others."