Veteran TV and stage actor Peter Scolari has died. He is perhaps best known for co-starring in the 1980 hit TV show Bosom Buddies alongside Tom Hanks. He was 66.
Scolari is an Emmy Award-winning actor who began his career in 1978. In 1980 he starred in the comedy Bosom Buddies with TomHanks about two friends who dress as women to live in an affordable women’s only apartment. The series lasted two years before it was canceled.
In 1984, Scolari joined Bob Newhart’s sitcom Newhart and was a series regular until 1990 when the show ended. Scolari earned his first Primetime Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor for his role on the show as a yuppie TV producer named Michael Harris.
Peter Scolari, who died today, was one of the funniest—sneakily funny—actors we’ve worked with. He always took a nothing scene and found different ways to twist it, and throw in odd pauses that made it jump. I will try to collect my thoughts more. He was just wonderful. pic.twitter.com/25z6xgmD3f
— Robert King (@RKing618) October 22, 2021
What a wonderful actor he was! So sad to hear of the loss of the versatile Peter Scolari. I never had the chance to work with him, but I'm grateful for a lifetime of his brilliant performances. #GoneTooSoon 💔 pic.twitter.com/YSia6KO5a9
— Mark Hamill (Mar🐫) (@HamillHimself) October 22, 2021
Sad to see the news that Peter Scolari lost his battle with cancer. There wasn't a sweeter man on the planet. We performed together in HAIRSPRAY for a time and he was always a total delight. Farewell, dear Peter.https://t.co/1TPjakwLT3
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) October 22, 2021
Scolari would win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor nearly two decades later for his role as Tad Horvath on HBO’s Girls. Tad is the father of Lena Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath.
But Scolari’s full body of work includes dozens of credits in shows like Reba, ER, and The West Wing, as well as voice-over work on animated cartoons like Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles, and Animaniacs.
Scolari seemed to have a certain affinity for WB’s superheroes having appeared in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and as Commissioner Gillian Loeb on Gotham.
Scolari continued to work up until his death with recurring roles on Fosse/Verdon and Evil as well as Lisey’s Story.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
(Photo credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)