Bruce French during NBC’s “Passions” 7th Season Kick-Off Party at Universal Citywalk in Universal … [+]
Character actor Bruce French, who was known to TV audiences as Father Lonigan, the blind priest, on the NBC daytime drama Passions, died Friday in Los Angeles of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79.
The Iowa native, born July 4, 1945, racked up over 150 acting credits, according to his IMDb page. Debuting on the big screen in the 1974 thriller Man on a Swing, Bruce French segued to television in 1976 with a role in the miniseries Helter Skelter. His wide array of early guest appearances included the series The Waltons, Soap, Dallas, Family Ties, Fame, The A-Team, Knots Landing and the original Magnum, P.I. And his film resume began to grow with roles in dramas Coming Home, featuring Oscar winners Jane Fonda and Jon Voight, and Bloodbrothers with Richard Gere, both in 1978.
French’s career remained chock full of TV guest spots, including Newhart, L.A. Law, Matlock, Highway to Heaven, Moonlighting, Cheers, Falcon Crest, Picket Fences, Star Trek Voyager and The West Wing. He had the recurring role as Jim Burns in the two-season FX drama The Riches opposite Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard (from 2007 to 2008). And other film roles included Mr. Mom (1983), Fletch (1985), Murphy’s Romance (1985), Legal Eagles (1986), Wildcats (1986), Jurassic Park III (2001), Mr. Deeds (2002), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Beautiful Boy (2010), and Mission Impossible III (2006). But it was his nine season (1999-2008) stint on aforementioned Passions that he is most recognized for.
French’s final listed TV role was in 2012 in the TV comedy Up All Night.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Days of Our Lives actress Eileen Barnett, and his nieces, Claire and Paula.
