VETERAN TV actor Joe Marinelli has died after a battle with stomach cancer, aged 68.

The General Hospital and Santa Barbara star died in Burbank, California, his wife Jean Marinelli told The Hollywood Reporter.

5

5

5

The iconic actor was also known for his roles in The Morning Show and Guiding Light.

His friend Leigh J. McCloskey confirmed the star’s death, adding you could not find “a sweeter man or a dearer friend” than him.

The artist said: “Joe was a champion.

“He was a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical friend, passionate believer in people.”

Marinelli’s wife Jean also said that she had “never had a fight” with him in over three decades.

In drama soap Santa Barbara, Marinelli played the character Bunny Tagliatti – a cross dressing crime boss – in 171 episodes between 1988 and 1990.

He also played bank robber Pauly Hardman on the CBS daytime drama Guiding Light in 1993.

And on General Hospital, he played Joseph Sorel from 1999-2001.

Marinelli’s latest role came playing the director Donny Spagnoli on 22 episodes of The Morning Show on Apple+.

He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon on the show which started in 2019.

For one of his most notable awards, Marinelli was part of the cast that won the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series that claimed a Screen Actors Guild in 2022. 

The renowned actor amassed dozens of prolific roles and was a beloved performer among TV show fans.

Other roles he took on included characters in shows such as L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, and Cagney & Lacey.

In the 1990s, Marinelli racked up credits on shows such as Hunter, ER and The King of Queens.

And more recently, he had featured in TV projects such as Reboot, The Offer, Just Roll with It, and Hollywood. 

In a heartfelt tribute, McCloskey added that Marinelli had “a beautiful, incredibly talented family that reflects his love of music and art”.

He also said the star had “his amazing wife Jean, together they always radiated generous and noble hearts“.

The soap actor is survived by his wife Jean and their two sons, Vincent and David George.

Marinelli had been married to Jean, and they were set to celebrate their wedding anniversary on June 29, iMDb reported.

It comes after legendary actor Jack Betts, known for his roles in Friends and Spider-Man, died aged 96.

The Hollywood star died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, last week.

And on June 17, a Lilo and Stitch star died just weeks after his big screen debut.

Tributes poured in for David Hekili Kenui Bell, who sadly passed away – with his sister Jalene Kanani Bell announcing the shocking news in a heartbreaking post on Facebook.

5

5