Credit: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, ABC, CBS, NBC
We are saddened to report that former soap star Joe Marinelli has passed away at the age of 68. His former Santa Barbara castmate Leigh J. McCloskey (Ethan) paid tribute to the actor on his official Facebook page…
“A sweeter man or a dearer friend you could not find than Joe Marinelli,” McCloskey began then went on to state, “I knew Joe was sick and so admired his indefatigable spirit throughout what sounded like a very difficult, if not impossible, ordeal.” Oh his friend, he called the actor “a champion… 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.”
After reflected on Marinelli’s “beautiful, incredibly talented family” and his “amazing wife Jean,” 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.”
Marinelli landed his first soap role on Santa Barbara in 1988 as Bunny Tagliatti then went on play Pauly on Guiding Light in 1993. In 1999, he took on the role of Joseph Sorel on General Hospital, a role he played for two years, and appeared on numerous primetime series and films, most recently, The Morning Show as Donny.
Soaps.com sends Marinelli’s wife Jean, his sons Vincent and David, their family and friends our deepest condolences.
