entertainment

Veteran Actor, ‘Bosom Buddies' Sitcom Star Peter Scolari Dies at 66

Peter Scolari won an Emmy for his work on "Girls,'' portraying the father of series star Lena Dunham's character. He was nominated three times for a supporting-actor Emmy for his work in "Newhart''

Peter Scolari, who rose to fame alongside Tom Hanks in the offbeat sitcom "Bosom Buddies'' and later appeared alongside Bob Newhart in "Newhart,'' died Friday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 66.

His manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, confirmed his death in a statement. 

Scolari won an Emmy for his work on "Girls,'' portraying the father of series star Lena Dunham's character. He was nominated three times for a supporting-actor Emmy for his work in "Newhart.''

"I knew that Peter was sick, but his death still comes as a great shock,'' Bob Newhart said in a statement Friday. "We were friends and colleagues for over 40 years. Julia (Duffy) and Peter, as a vacuous couple, were an essential part of the success of `Newhart.' 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.''

The New York native most recently appeared in the series "Evil.''

He has an extensive list of credits, appearing in shows including "Happy Days,'' "Hotel,'' "Family Ties,'' "The Love Boat,'' "Empty Nest,'' "The West Wing'' and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch.''

He lent his voice to the animated Christmas film "The Polar Express,'' which starred Hanks.

It was "Bosom Buddies'' that made Scolari a star. He and Hanks starred as roommates who dressed as women so they could live in an affordable apartment in a building for women only.

Scolari was also an accomplished stage actor, appearing in Broadway shows including "Hairspray'' and "Wicked.'' He also appeared on stage with Hanks in "Lucky Guy'' in 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Tracy Shayne, and children Nicholas, Keaton, Joseph and Cali.

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