Ian Ziering mourns loss of Beverly Hills 90210 star Joe E. Tata at 85

2022-08-26

Beverly Hills 90210 actor Joe E. Tata dies at 85 after battle with Alzheimer’s disease: Co-star Ian Ziering leads tributes to the star who played owner of the Peach Pit in iconic show

Joe E. Tata, best known for portraying Nat Bussichio on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died at the age 85 after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, on Thursday
His death was announced by his former costar, Ian Ziering, following the recent deaths of two other members of the 90210 family
‘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,’ Ziering, 58, revealed on Instagram
He continued: ‘Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the Rockford files with James Garner years before we worked together on 90210’
Tata’s beloved character in Beverly Hills 90210 was friendly owner of the Peach Pit owner. He was a regular on the show from 1990 to 2000

Joe E. Tata, best known for portraying Nat Bussichio on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died at the age 85 after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, on Thursday.

His passing was announced by his former costar, Ian Ziering, following the recent deaths of two other members of the 90210 family.

‘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,’ Ziering, 58, captioned a photo of his late friend.

Rest in peace: Joe E. Tata, best known for portraying Nat Bussichio on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died at the age 85 after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, on Thursday; seen in 2019

He continued: ‘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.’

‘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,’ the actor recalled.

‘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,’ Ziering shared.

He ended his heartfelt tribute by writing that his ‘smile dims today’ but he will continue to bask ‘in fond memories.’

‘My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and everyone else he was dear too. Rest In peace Joey,’ the father-of-two concluded.

Tata’s beloved character in Beverly Hills 90210 was friendly owner of the Peach Pit owner. He was a regular on the show from 1990 to 2000.

He later reprised his role as Nat Bussichio in the 2008 CW spin-off 90210.

His other credits include Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Hogan’s Heroes, Lost in Space, Mission: Impossible, Quincy M.E., Wonder Woman, The A-Team and Hill Street Blues.

Iconic: Tata’s beloved character in Beverly Hills 90210 was friendly owner of the Peach Pit owner. He was a regular on the show from 1990 to 2000; Tata pictured with Ian Ziering in 2019

His last TV gig: Tata pictured with Tori Spelling (L) and Jennie Garth (R) on ABC Family’s comedy Mystery Girls

Additionally, the Bronx-born actor starred as Benny Travis on Magnum, P.I., eight episodes of The Rockford Files and soap operas such as General Hospital and Days of Our Lives.

His final TV credit came in 2014 on ABC Family’s Mystery Girls, alongside Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth.

Four years ago, Joe was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to his daughter Kelly, who launched a GoFundMe campaign in his honor.

‘My Dad, Joey, is honest, kind, and a truly incredible father,’ she wrote on the crowdfunding platform. ‘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.’

She continued: ‘As we had countless times before, Dad and I would navigate uncertainty together. In 2018, he was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.’

Sad: Tata’s passing comes after the recent deaths of two other members of the 90210 family: Jessica Klein and Denise Douse

At the time, she claimed her father ‘unwittingly’ signed paperwork admitting him into a conservatorship.

‘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 told fans.

She was raising money to hire a mediator to end the ‘confusion’ of his conservatorship and rent a car to be able to take him to appointments.

Devastating diagnosis: Four years ago, Joe was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to his daughter Kelly Tata, who launched a GoFundMe campaign in his honor; seen in 1992

Kelly’s mother is Tata’s ex-wife, Susan Levy.

Last month, Kelly revealed that she would be heading to court on August 26th, but did not ‘have legal representation’ yet.

‘In the meantime, I visit my Dad often. In fact, I’m headed to see him shortly. Truthfully, he’s less and less talkative, but still recognizes me, between naps,’ she wrote on GoFundMe.

Sad: Last month, Kelly revealed that she would be heading to court on August 26th, but did not ‘have legal representation’ yet after he was put in a conservatorship

She continued: ‘A heartfelt thank you to those who have reached out in kindness or donated, so far. It is because of your generosity that I’m in LA and able to visit him, at all.’

In June, she revealed he had been moved to a memory care facility called The Motion Picture Television Fund and that she was staying in Los Angeles to remain close to him.

‘Over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to visit him 8 times! I can’t put into words how grateful I am to be able to see him on a regular basis. He isn’t saying much these days, but I know my presence has certainly lifted his spirits… and his mine,’ she wrote.

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