Joe E. Tata, best known for his role as Nat Bussichio, owner of the Peach Pit diner on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died. He was 86.
Tata’s daughter Kelly confirmed the news on the GoFundMe page she started last October to raise money as the actor’s health deteriorated.
“I am heartbroken to report that my father, Joe E. Tata, died peacefully last night, August 24, 2022,” she wrote.
The love and support of family, friends, and supporters mean everything to my father and me. Joanna Konjevod’s care for my father in his final years allowed me to be present to hold his hand as he passed away, which I am grateful for.”
Kelly wrote in a GoFundMe update on Thursday that the remaining funds from this campaign would be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Kelly revealed that her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018.
“All my Love, Kelly Katherine,” she wrote, asking that “please keep us in your prayers as I grieve the loss of my best friend.”
Ian Ziering, a former 90210 co-star, posted about Tata’s death on Instagram on Thursday morning. Ziering paid a moving tribute to Tata, noting that the cast and crew of 90210 had recently lost two more family members.
He wrote alongside two images of Tata, “I’m very sorry to inform you that Joe E Tata has died. We’ve lost Jessica Klein, one of 90210’s prolific writers and producers, Denise [Dowse], who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m unfortunate to say Joe E Tata has died.”
Joey was a one-of-a-kind, according to Ziering. “Before we worked on 90210, I saw him with James Garner on The Rockford Files.” He frequently appeared as a supporting antagonist in the first season of the Batman television series.”
He was as generous with his wisdom as his kindness, and Ziering described him as “one of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with.”
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“Although the peach pit was a set from the 90210 series, it had the feel of a Joe E. Tata show on many occasions.” We were all captivated by his memories of the past and his incredible experiences while working in the entertainment industry.”
According to Ziering, Tata “may have been in the background of many scenes,” but he was a driving force in teaching us guys how to appreciate the gift that 90210 was.
The 90210MG podcast, which Ziering and co-hosts Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth, paid tribute to Tata on Thursday. “My heartfelt condolences are extended to his family, friends, and all the people he held dear. Joey, may you rest in peace.”
“R.I.P. Joe E. Tata,” it said in the caption. Fans know that Tata played Nat Bussichio on Beverly Hills, 90210 from 1990 to 2000. Later, he portrayed the same character in the CW spinoff 90210 in 2008. Nat will live on in our hearts; we are devastated by the news and thinking of his friends and family.
According to his IMDb page, the Bronx native was also known for his roles in the 1966 television series Batman and The Time Tunnel. Private Neddick on No Time for Sergeants from 1964 to 1965 and The Rockford Files, a 1970s detective drama series, were among his other roles.
He received his final television credit as Principal Frost in ABC Family’s Mystery Girls in 2014.
When creating her GoFundMe page, Tata’s daughter used the following words to summarise his life: “For the West Beverly High students, Nat served as a devoted father figure.” My father, Joey, is, in reality, a wonderful, kind, and sincere man.”