A wildly talented actor best known for roles on popular shows like Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel passed on Saturday, November 2. Brian Tarantina will be missed by many fans.
Recently there were reports of him being ill. These reports come directly from the actor’s manager, Laurie Smith. The actor was recently hospitalized for a heart-related issue. Tarantina was on the mend, but this illness may have been a contributing factor in his passing.
Brian Tarantina was found unresponsive in his apartment around 12:45 AM by his niece. Near him were several prescriptions, and also some other unknown substances. The actor could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. It may take several weeks for the New York City medical examiner to determine the official cause of death.
While Tarantina was best known for a recurring role on popular television series, he was recently reunited with fellow Gilmore Girls costar Melissa McCartney in a film called The Kitchen. It was released in August with moderate reviews.
With a career spanning several decades, Tarantina starred in shows and movies including Law & Order, Night Of, Summer of Sam, Madam Secretary, ER, Heroes, and Carlito’s Way. He even loaned his voice to several characters in Grand Theft Auto IV, a New York-based version of the popular game. His most recent show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won him and the rest of the cast a Screen Actors Guild Award in January. They won the prestigious award for best performance by an ensemble.
An expansive career has given him ample costars and fans. His fellow actors remember him fondly as a talented actor with a big personality and a touch of weirdness. He will be greatly missed by the acting community and fans alike.
With a broad career and a wide list of accomplishments, it’s safe to safe both the big and small screens won’t be the same without the great actor, Brian Tarantina.
