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Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images file
James Farentino and his wife Stella in Los Angeles in August 2011.
A family spokesman says actor James Farentino, who appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, has died in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 73.
Family spokesman Bob Palmer says Farentino died of heart failure after a long illness at Cedars-Sinai Hospital on Tuesday.
Farentino starred alongside Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen in a 1980 science fiction film "The Final Countdown."
Farentino also starred opposite Patty Duke in 1969's "Me, Natalie."
He also had recurring roles on "Dynasty," "Melrose Place," "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers" and "ER," playing the estranged father to George Clooney's character.
A four-time divorcee, Farentino's tumultuous personal life made headlines, too.
In March 1994 he pleaded no contest to stalking his ex-girlfriend Tina Sinatra, daughter of Frank Sinatra.
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One of my all time favorite actors, RIP!
I thought he did a great job in the role he played in The War Lord with Charlton Heston. Also, he was nominated for an Emmy for portraying Simon Peter in the mini-series Jesus of Nazareth.
Liked him as Juan Peron in NBC's non-musical biography of "Evita" years ago.
Familiar name, what the heck did he look like ? Why is it,that a website called "Entertainment Tonight" doesn't have the photo of a star handy ??
"Rest In Peace" big guy. I enjoyed your work!
LOL; just checked out his picture - looks like a cross between Reggis and Colombo. He was one of those guys who fit the stereo type Soap Opera lead men.
The only way a guy my age would remember him is if you only had one TV and your wife made you watch chick shows. Good time to escape to the gym and fire up some hoops when those shows were on. It was the same as watching Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor is now...yuk.
Fawning over actors; not my thing...I can name the usual big names, and after that it's; what's his face, you know - the guy with the bushy black hair...lol. Thank you Louis Black for knowing exactly what it's like to be over 50 and not give a crud.
Also starred opposie Charleton Heston in the movie "Beneath the Planet of the Apes". A great actor and a class act! R.I.P. Sir! My condolences to family and loved ones.
THAT was James Franciscus in "Beneath the Planet of the Apes", but both were good actors who wil both be missed.
Actually it was James Franciscus, not Farrentino, that starred with Charleton Heston. My mistake. Does not change the fact that Farrentino was still a great actor!
I fell in love with James Farrentino in the 70's when he starred in the (Wednesday?) Mystery Movie show "Cool Million." What a character he played!
No picture? Bad presentation.
Type in his name into Google Images.
MSN /BING never post a pic, they are too busy trying to the first to break a story to bother with a pic, especially when it comes to character actors,who people need to see their face to recognize them.
How Disappointing....
No posts because all the current little twits do not know who James Farentino was.
A picture would help. Frankly, I don't remember him.
Yep!!
Frankly, he wouldn't remember you either, J.C. Not sure why so many whine about 'no pic.' Ya see, there's this whole new concept called Google; type in a name of anything/anyone, and pics come up. It's REAL difficult to do, I know.
So you think a well written article needs to be googled. That speaks volumes about you and your asinine reply.
I agree that they needed a picture. At first glance of the headline, a bit sleepily, I thought that James Franco had died! Pic would have been nice...
a picture perhaps? dam author.
Is it really neccessary to refer to people as "little twits" because they don't know who James Farentino is? Be nice.
Well, you're really right; he's probably about as relevant to them as, say, Dick Powell would've been to me.
I remembered him and he was a good actor.Believe he was married to Michelle Lee at one time.RIP
Yep. Always got the impression that they were each other's favorite ex-spouses; didn't he stalk her at one time, too?
A Picture Please???
shut up twits instead of ASKING for a picture go look him up on the dang internet.people are stupid.Its like asking your freind what the football score is when they have a smart phone to look it up themselves.
With a picture we would probably all know him. rip
Here's a link to more info:
Apparently you're too new to Newsvine for them to let you post a link yet.
Stop whining! Google his name...twits ;)
http: //lmgtfy.com/?q=James+Farentino
remove space before double slash and copy to your browser. Photos and anything you would want to know about him.
great actor....check him out on IMDB site...
The name rings a bell but I can't place the face.
I remember him from the 70's--but, it would be nice to see a picture.
dont be a @!$%#ing idiot
Here's one: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0267232/
Too bad. Peace.
Shouldn't the comments here be focused on James Farentino? Not the fact that clearly we all have computers / smartphones, so it seems it's more about laziness than about the lack of ability or knowledge. RIP Mr. Farentino...
I remember him from the 70's--but, it would be nice to see a picture too.
Condolences to his family and friends. He was a great actor, and the programs he was in were better because of it. rip
He just died and all they can say is that he "stalking his ex-girlfriend" sorry but I find that in poor taste....
Um, Do you folk have nothing better to do than to sit and piss, bitch, and moan and complain to others about their post?!! What happened to "GET A LIFE"? God you people are so stupid! Say what you want about my post, but the ignore button works wonders!!! Also deaf ears as well!!!! Have a nice day.
A pic to honor the man! I mean really!!!No pic for a dead man....They have a pic for Demi....she's tired....exhausted from running around checking out who's cradle to rob next.....lmao R.I.P. Gumba...
Robert ....people are just sometimes bored and it gives them something to do. If we had a life maybe none of us would be posting right now. oops I hope I didn't say the wrong thing and start another political debate.
I'm all for it.. One political debate coming up.. (watch this space).
Great actor. Thought he was great in Jesus of Nazareth.