Photo Credit: Getty Images
Joe Marinelli, a seasoned television and film actor best known for his roles in The Morning Show and Santa Barbara, has died at the age of 68. His passing was confirmed by his agent, Julie Smith, who shared via email with CNN that Marinelli had been battling throat and stomach cancer for several years. Further details about his death were not disclosed.
Marinelli amassed more than 50 screen credits throughout his career, appearing mostly in guest roles on a wide range of popular television shows. However, his portrayal of Bunny Tagliatti on the daytime soap Santa Barbara marked a defining chapter in his career. Beginning in 1988, Marinelli played the flamboyant, cross-dressing mobster in over 170 episodes until 1990. His bold performance earned him a Soap Opera Digest Award, and the character remains one of his most recognized.
He got his start on television in the mid-1980s, appearing on critically acclaimed series such as Cagney & Lacey, Hill Street Blues, and L.A. Law. His career continued strong through the ’90s, with roles in ER, JAG, and The King of Queens. In 1999, Marinelli returned to daytime television in General Hospital, portraying Joseph Sorel.
Through the 2000s, Marinelli continued to build a diverse résumé with appearances in The West Wing, NYPD Blue, and House. He also made a notable film appearance in Alexander Payne’s 2004 Oscar-winning film Sideways.
In recent years, Marinelli remained active, taking on roles in acclaimed series such as Insecure, Hollywood, and The Offer. His final credited role was on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, where he played show director Donny Spagnoli in 20 episodes. For his performance alongside the ensemble cast, Marinelli received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2022 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Following the news of his death, longtime friend and Santa Barbara co-star Leigh J. McCloskey shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. “He was a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical friend, passionate believer in people, and a storyteller extraordinaire,” McCloskey wrote. “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.”
