Actor Joe E. Tata, known for his portrayal of Peach Pit owner Nat Bussichio in ‘90s teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” has died, according to his longtime castmate, Ian Ziering. He was 85.
In a post Thursday on Instagram, Ziering remembered Tata as “truly an OG,” recalling the elder actor’s roles in the detective drama “The Rockford Files,” which ran from 1974 until 1980, and the original “Batman” series, which was on the air in the ‘60s.
“One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness,” Ziering wrote. “Though the peach pit was a 90210 set, It often felt like the backdrop to the Joe E Tata show.”
Tata spent a decade playing Bussichio, the proprietor of the main cast’s primary hangout spot. He appeared in 238 episodes of the series, in which Ziering portrayed rich kid Steve Sanders, according to IMDB.
“He may have been in the back of many scenes, but he was a leading force, especially to us guys, on how to appreciate the gift that 90210 was,” Ziering wrote. “My smile dims today but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart where he will always be.”
Tata’s television credits date back to 1960 and include appearances on dozens of shows, including “General Hospital,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Wonder Woman,” “Days of Our Lives,” “The A-Team” and “Magnum, P.I.,” according to IMDB. In 2014, he appeared in the sitcom “Mystery Girls,” starring his former “Beverly Hills, 90210″ co-star Tori Spelling.
Tata had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2014, TMZ reported.
His death follows the passing earlier this month of Denise Dowse, who portrayed Vice Principal Yvonne Teasley on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” She was 64.
©2022 Cox Media Group
