Joe Marinelli, the actor whose career spanned decades across television, film, and stage, has passed away at the age of 68. He died on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Burbank, California, following a private battle with stomach cancer. His wife, Jean Marinelli, confirmed the news, while his agent, Julie Smith, revealed he had been living with both throat and stomach cancer for several years.
Over the years, Marinelli became a familiar face to soap opera fans, with memorable roles in Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, and General Hospital. Beyond soaps, he made his mark in Alexander Payne鈥檚 Oscar-nominated Sideways and appeared on popular shows like The Morning Show, Desperate Housewives, Castle, and Ray Donovan, among others.
Reflecting on his time working with Marinelli, The Morning Show star Mark Duplass shared, 鈥淚 really loved him and what he stood for. We didn鈥檛 spend 10,000 hours together, but we were spiritually aligned in many ways.鈥
Director Alexander Payne also paid tribute, saying, 鈥淭he great Joe Marinelli acted in my very first movie at film school 40 years ago and again in Sideways. Aside from being an extraordinary artist, he was a uniquely magnificent human being with a heart as big as the ocean.鈥
Born in Meriden, Connecticut on January 21, 1957, Marinelli moved to California as a child. He studied acting at Loyola Marymount University and then trained further at London鈥檚 Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He returned to Los Angeles to pursue acting while working as a carpenter to support himself.
His breakthrough came in the late 鈥80s when he was cast as Bunny Tagliatti, a cross-dressing mobster, on Santa Barbara. Recalling the experience, Marinelli once shared, 鈥淥ne thing I learned is that pants are a lot more comfortable than nylons. I also learned that other people thought I was very courageous鈥 While getting my makeup put on one day, a woman鈥檚 voice whispered in my ear, 鈥榊ou must be very comfortable in your sexuality.鈥 When I turned, they were gone. However, that stuck with me.鈥
Leigh J. McCloskey, his co-star from Santa Barbara, wrote in a heartfelt Facebook tribute, 鈥淎 sweeter man or a dearer friend you could not find than Joe Marinelli鈥 a great acting partner, teacher, philosophical friend, passionate believer in people, and a storyteller extraordinaire that with laughter and depth revealed the human spirit so beautifully and in so many different ways.鈥
鈥淸It] saddens me greatly to say goodbye to my old friend and his belief in the goodness, and even the possible greatness of the human adventure. I鈥檓 glad I walked this earth with you Joe.鈥
Marinelli鈥檚 career never slowed after Santa Barbara. He went on to portray Pauly Hardman on Guiding Light and the criminal Joseph Sorel on General Hospital. In total, he racked up more than 50 credits across TV and film. Beyond his on-screen work, Marinelli was known for his warmth and wisdom.
Musician Finneas, a longtime friend of his son David, remembered, 鈥淚 was a beneficiary of the same things anyone lucky enough to know Joe was; countless great stories accompanied by thoughtful questions, a million small lessons and dozens of large ones鈥 Even at the times in my own life when I did not fully understand myself, Joe always seemed to.鈥
He is survived by his wife Jean, to whom he was married for 34 years, and their two sons, Vincent and David.
May his soul rest in peace.