90210 star Joe E. Tata has passed away at age 85 after a four-year struggle with Alzheimer’s.
The actor is best known for his role as Nat Bussichio from the popular Beverly Hills show.
The TV personality’s longtime co-star Ian Ziering took to his Instagram on Thursday to share the tragic news of his death.
Alongside a photo of Joe from his time on the series and a more recent of the duo together, he wrote: “In the last few months we’ve lost Jessica Klein one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m very sad to say Joe E Tata has passed away.
“Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the Rockford files with James Garner years before we worked together on 90210. He was often one of the background villains in the original Batman series,” he continued.
Ian added: “One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness. Though the peach pit was a 90210 set, It often felt like the backdrop to the Joe E Tata show.
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“The stories of days gone by that he would share, incredible experiences in the entertainment industry that he was a part of would keep us all captivated. 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.
The Beverly Hills 90210 star concluded: My smile dims today but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart where he will always be. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and everyone else he was dear too. Rest In peace Joey.”
Joe played Nat on 90210 from 1990 until 2000 as a regular reoccurring character on the American teen drama series.
He portrayed the owner and operator of the Peach Pit diner and later reprised his role on the show’s spinoff.
Joe launched his career into stardom as Private Neddick in the 1964 comedy series No Time for Sergeants.
Prior to his breakout on Beverly Hills 90210, the actor appeared in eight episodes of the 1970s series The Rockford Files.
In 2018, Joe was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after four years of health deterioration.
His daughter, Kelly Tata, launched a GoFundMe campaign in his honor, asking fans for their contributions to his medical bills.
She wrote: “My Dad, Joey, is honest, kind, and a truly incredible father.
“After his final role on ABC Family’s ‘Mystery Girls,’ my father’s health took a turn for the worse. In 2014, I left my home to move in with him, effectively becoming his full time caregiver. As we had countless times before, Dad and I would navigate uncertainty together,” she explained.
“In 2018, he was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Kelly then claimed that shortly after the diagnosis, Joe “unwittingly” signed paperwork admitting him into a conservatorship.
The child star alleged that she was “never served proper notice of these arrangements.”
“In 2019, his conservator insisted I move out of the home my father and I shared. Since that time, she has kept me mostly in the dark regarding his decisions that should include family. I even have to ask her permission to visit him,” she added.
Kelly asked for $5,000 from fans to hire a mediator to clear up the conservatorship “confusion” and to rent a car to attend to his needs.
Joe has passed away aged 85.
