Joe Marinelli, the veteran character actor who captivated audiences as the cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti on the NBC soap opera ‘Santa Barbara,’ has passed away at the age of 68.
Remembering Joe Marinelli: The Iconic Cross-Dressing Bunny Tagliatti
Joe Marinelli, the veteran character actor who captivated audiences as the cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara, has passed away at the age of 68.
Life and Career
Marinelli died on Sunday, as confirmed by his wife of nearly 34 years, musician Jean Marinelli, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
After portraying Bernardo “Bunny” Tagliatti from 1988 to 1990, Marinelli went on to play bank robber Pauly Hardman on CBS’s Guiding Light in 1993, and crook Joseph Sorel on ABC’s General Hospital from 1999 to 2001.
More recently, he appeared as UBA director Donny Spagnoli in the first three seasons of the Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show.
Mark Duplass, who plays TMS executive producer Chip Black, expressed his admiration, stating, “I really loved him and what he stood for. We didn’t spend 10,000 hours together, but we were spiritually aligned in many ways.”
Notable Roles and Contributions
Marinelli studied acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and appeared in films such as Sideways and One Last Ride. His television credits include guest appearances on Hunter, ER, The King of Queens, NYPD Blue, The West Wing, The Practice, House, Castle, Desperate Housewives, and Ray Donovan.
During his time on Santa Barbara, Bunny Tagliatti had a tumultuous romance with Gina DeMott Capwell and a fierce rivalry with Mason Capwell. He owned a nightclub named Bunny’s Lair and nearly married Vanessa DeFranco.
In a 2013 interview, Marinelli reflected on his role, stating, “Bunny allowed me to bring so many things: my sense of humor, my love of creating different characters — in this case male and female — and a strong moral code.”
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Early Life and Legacy
Born on January 21, 1957, in Meriden, Connecticut, Joseph Anthony Marinelli moved to Southern California in 1961. He attended various schools before studying at RADA in London.
After returning to the U.S., he continued his acting studies and performed in local theater while working as a carpenter. Marinelli’s big break came in 1984, landing roles in shows like Cagney & Lacey and L.A. Law, which led to his casting as Bunny in Santa Barbara.
Reflecting on his experience, he noted, “I learned that pants are a lot more comfortable than nylons. I also learned that other people thought I was very courageous.”
After leaving Santa Barbara, Marinelli found continued success, stating, “That was like a gift, because casting directors around town had me in nonstop.”
Director Alexander Payne praised Marinelli, saying, “Aside from being an extraordinary artist, he was a uniquely magnificent human being with a heart as big as the ocean.”
He is survived by his wife and two sons, Vincent and David. Fellow actor Leigh McCloskey paid tribute, stating, “A sweeter man or a dearer friend you could not find than Joe Marinelli.”
