Joseph Marinelli, a seasoned character actor whose portrayal of the cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti in the NBC soap opera "Santa Barbara" delighted and captivated audiences, passed away on Sunday in Burbank following a courageous battle with stomach cancer. This heartbreaking news was conveyed by his wife of nearly 34 years, musician Jean Marinelli, to The Hollywood Reporter.
From 1988 to 1990, Marinelli enchanted viewers as Bernardo "Bunny" Tagliatti. He then transitioned to playing the role of bank robber Pauly Hardman in the CBS daytime drama "Guiding Light" in 1993 and later took on the character of Joseph Sorel, another crook, in the ABC soap "General Hospital" from 1999 to 2001. More recently, Marinelli recurringly captivated audiences as UBA director Donny Spagnoli in the first three seasons of the Apple TV+ drama "The Morning Show."
Mark Duplass, who portrays a character in "The Morning Show," paid tribute to Marinelli, stating, "I really loved him and what he stood for." Marinelli, who honed his acting skills at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also left an indelible mark in the 2004 films "Sideways" and "One Last Ride." His television credits are vast, spanning series such as "Hunter," "ER," "The King of Queens," "NYPD Blue," "The West Wing," "The Practice," "House," "Castle," "Desperate Housewives," and "Ray Donovan."
During his tenure on "Santa Barbara," Marinelli's Bunny Tagliatti fell deeply in love with Gina DeMott Capwell (played by Robin Mattson), engaged in a fierce rivalry with Mason Capwell/Sonny Sprocket (portrayed by Lane Davies and Terry Lester), purchased a nightclub he fondly named Bunny's Lair, and came perilously close to tying the knot with Vanessa DeFranco (played by Denise Gentile).
In a 2013 interview, Marinelli revealed that he poured a significant part of himself into his most renowned role. "Bunny allowed me to bring so many facets of myself to the forefront: my sense of humor, my passion for creating diverse characters – in this instance, both male and female – and a strong moral compass," he reminisced. "Like many individuals, I can be hurt easily, and when Bunny experienced pain, he retreated into his female ego as a coping mechanism."
Born on January 21, 1957, in Meriden, Connecticut, Joseph Anthony Marinelli and his family relocated to Southern California in 1961. He attended Arcadia High School, Reno (Nevada) High School, and Loyola Marymount University before embarking on his journey to RADA in London, where he further honed his craft.
Upon his return to the United States, Marinelli's acting aspirations blossomed under the nurturing wings of actress Jean Muir and a casting director who doubled as his mentor during the audition trail. Starting in 1984, he landed roles in prestigious television series such as "Cagney & Lacey," "Paper Dolls," "Hill Street Blues," and notably, "L.A. Law." It was amidst the latter's gripping narratives that he caught the attentive gaze of Jill Farren Phelps, the executive producer of the hit show "Santa Barbara." Reflecting fondly on a particular role, Marinelli quipped, "I pondered deeply about the insights I might uncover by embodying a transvestite. One lesson I swiftly absorbed: the unparalleled comfort of pants, far surpassing that of nylons. Moreover, I found that many regarded my decision as an act of extraordinary bravery."
During a makeup session, a woman's hushed voice whispered in his ear, "You must be very at ease with your sexuality." By the time he turned around, she had vanished, yet her words lingered deeply within him.
When his contract with "Santa Barbara" expired without renewal, Marinelli saw it as a blessing in disguise. "It was akin to receiving a gift," he recounted, "as casting directors around town sought me out relentlessly. Upon entering a room, people would burst into laughter, sharing how their spouses adored Bunny. For an extended period, I was inundated with work, with Lorimar and Warner Bros. actively vying to create a show centered around me. The ensuing decade was pure unbridled joy."
Alexander Payne, director of "Sideways," commented, "The exceptional Joe Marinelli starred in my maiden film at film school four decades ago and reprised his magic in 'Sideways.' Beyond being an extraordinary artist, he was a magnificent human being, his heart as vast as the ocean."
Besides his wife, a talented French horn player who has graced the Hollywood Bowl and contributed to the FX series "Better Things," Marinelli is survived by his sons: Vincent, a film editor and writer, and David, a musician and songwriter. Finneas, an Oscar-winning composer, shared his fond memories of Joe through David, stating that at 14, he benefited immensely from Joe's wisdom. "Joe imparted countless enchanting stories paired with thoughtful inquiries, imparting a myriad of lessons, both subtle and profound. Even during my moments of self-doubt, Joe always seemed to illuminate my path."
On Facebook, Leigh McCloskey, who portrayed Ethan Asher in "Santa Barbara," paid homage to Marinelli, writing, "You could not find a sweeter man or a dearer friend than Joe Marinelli. Aware of Joe's illness, I deeply admired his unwavering spirit amidst what sounded like an exceedingly arduous journey. Joe was a champion—a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical confidant, a fervent believer in humanity, and an extraordinary storyteller who, through laughter and profound insights, beautifully revealed the essence of the human spirit in myriad ways."
