Bologna had a hit with My Favourite Year
PHOENIX — Joe Bologna, the actor, director and writer known for his role in the 1982 film comedy My Favorite Year, died Sunday. He was 82.
Bologna died in the Los Angeles area after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his manager Matt Sherman told the Associated Press.
He was married to actress Renee Taylor, who credited his doctors for prolonging his life so he could receive a lifetime achievement award at the Night of 100 Stars for the Actors’ Fund of America in February.
“He had a beautiful life,” Taylor said in a statement.
Bologna in July attended a 35th anniversary screening of My Favorite Year, in which he played King Kaiser, the star of a TV variety show.
Born Dec. 30, 1934, Bologna was a native of Brooklyn, New York. After he graduated from Brown University with a degree in art history, Bologna served in the Marines.
Bologna and Taylor married in 1965.
“Joe was a loveable man, a kind soul, a good friend and always a pleasure to be with,” Sherman said.
Bologna was nominated for an Oscar in 1971 for best adapted screenplay for Lovers and Other Strangers. He won an Emmy in 1973.
He had a string of television appearances and was a voice actor for the 2006 animated film Ice Age: The Meltdown. He also had a role in the 1999 Adam Sandler comedy Big Daddy.