Beverly Hills 90210 star dead

A beloved star of the classic 90s teen drama, Beverly Hills 90210, has been remembered as “generous and kind” after his death was confirmed.

Joe E Tata, the actor best known for playing Nat, owner of the Peach Pit diner on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died. He was 85.

The star’s death was confirmed by his 90210 co-star Ian Ziering who played Steve Sanders on the wildly popular show.

“In the last few months we’ve lost Jessica Klein one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m very sad to say Joe E Tata has passed away,” Ziering wrote via Instagram.

“Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the Rockford files with James Garner years before we worked together on 90210.

Beverly Hills 90210 star Joe E Tata has died. He played Peach Pit owner Nat for 10 seasons of the famous drama. Picture: Supplied

“He was often one of the background villains in the original Batman series,” the actor shared. “One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness. Though the Peach Pit was a 90210 set, it often felt like the backdrop to the Joe E Tata show.

The stories of days gone by that he would share, incredible experiences in the entertainment industry that he was a part of would keep us all captivated,” he continued.

“He may have been in the back of many scenes, but he was a leading force, especially to us guys, on how to appreciate the gift that 90210 was. My smile dims today but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart where he will always be. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and everyone else he was dear too. Rest In peace Joey.”

Joe E Tata has died at the age of 85. Picture: Supplied

90210 heart-throb Luke Perry was just 52 when he died in 2019. Picture: AFP

It’s been a difficult few years for cast and crew of the beloved show. Nineties heart-throb Luke Perry died unexpectedly of a stroke in 2019. Perry’s onscreen love Shannon Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh, has battled cancer in recent years.

According to a GoFundMe account started by Tata’s daughter Kelly, the actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, reports Fox News.

The cast of Beverly Hills 90210. Picture: Supplied

Kelly claimed that she served as her father’s caregiver until he “unwittingly signed documents which entered him into a conservatorship. He maintains that he agreed to this conservatorship under duress.” Kelly noted that she was admitted to a hospital “amid my own health struggles.”

Tata had a thriving TV career during the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to parts on the police dramas Mannix, Adam-12 The F.B.I. and The Streets of San Francisco.

Iconic. Jason Priestle, Shannon Doherty and Luke Perry at the height of their 90210 fame. Picture: Supplied

He also appeared in the long-running soap General Hospital, The Outer Limits and Mister Roberts, among others.

However, Tata became best known as the owner of the Peach Pit on Beverly Hills, 90210, on which he appeared for 10 seasons.

Tata’s final role was in 2014’s Mystery Girls, where he played Principal Frost. Kelly said that’s when his health “took a turn for the worse.”

– with Fox News