Actor James Farentino, who is perhaps as best known for his personal troubles as his career, has died. A Farentino family spokesman has confirmed the 73-year-old, who had long battled an undisclosed illness, passed away of heart failure Tuesday at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He is survived by his fourth wife and two sons.
Out of his more than 100 TV and film roles, Farentino is best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Saint Peter in the mini-series Jesus of Nazareth, and for playing the estranged father of George Clooney’s character in ER. His other TV credits include The Bold Ones, Cool Million, Dynasty and Melrose Place. Some of his most notable film credits include The Final Countdown and Me, Natalie.
Farentino was divorced three times, but it was his relationship with Frank Sinatra’s youngest daughter Tina Sinatra that garnered the most spotlight and ultimately damaged his career. He was charged in 1994 with 24 misdemeanor counts of stalking Sinatra and violating a restraining order. He pleaded no contest. Farentino’s last arrest came in 2010 when he attempted to physically remove a man from his Hollywood home. He was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and released on $20,000 bond.
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