Soap, Mary Tyler Moore, Murphy Brown: Actor Richard Libertini Dies at 82

Richard Libertini on ABC’s Soap

Successful character actor, Richard Joseph Libertini, has passed away at the age of 82. According to his obituary, Libertini died January 7, 2016, after a two year battle with cancer.

This son of Italian immigrants found success on stage and the silver screen. His first TV appearance was a guest role on the Marlo Thomas sitcom, That Girl, in 1970. He had a recurring role as Joe Sutonni, on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, in 1976. He also recurred as “The Godfather,” on Soap, in 1977.

In addition to appearing on classics like Mary Tyler Moore, The Jeffersons, and Murphy Brown, Libertini more recently guest starred on Sonny with a Chance, Supernatural, Numb3rs, and Monk. His last two TV appearances were on David Duchovny’s NBC series, Aquarius, in 2015.

Via Legacy.com:

RICHARD LIBERTINI

LIBERTINI–Richard Joseph,

actor, died January 7, after a two year battle against cancer. He was born nearly 83 years ago in Cambridge, MA to Esther and Rocco Libertini. He graduated from Emerson College and was partner with MacIntyre Dixon and Linda Segal in the uproarious act they named, “Stewed Prunes” which played in coffee houses in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. His first Broadway play was in Woody Allen’s “Don’t Drink the Water.” His last was in Allen’s “Relatively Speaking” in 2011-12. Richard worked in a number of television series, and movies, most notably as the Guru in the film, “All of Me,” and the crazy General in “The In-laws.” He is survived by his son Richard, a musician, sister Alice Langone, brother Albert, brother-in-law Mike Langone, sister-in-law Catherine Dillon, cousin Mario Libertini of Abruzzi, Italy, cousin Joe DiTuillio, beloved nieces and nephews, former wife, and friend Melinda Dillon, and many true and great friends. A memorial service will be held in the future.

Published in The New York Times on Jan. 10, 2016

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