David Birney, who starred on the first season of the buzzy medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” as well as the short-lived, controversial sitcom “Bridget Loves Bernie” — about a Catholic woman marrying a Jewish man — has died at 83. His life partner Michele Roberge confirmed the news to The New York Times, and said he died due to Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Santa Monica.
Birney’s nearly-40 year television career began with a part in the 1969 series “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” all the way through to a guest appearance in “Without a Trace” in 2007. He also had roles and recurring spots on many classic TV shows, including “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
Yet his best-know parts were Dr. Ben Samuels on the first season of the 1982 drama “St. Elsewhere,” which he had to leave because of a Broadway commitment, and a lead role on the 1972 sitcom “Bridget Loves Bernie.
Birney’s nearly-40 year television career began with a part in the 1969 series “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” all the way through to a guest appearance in “Without a Trace” in 2007. He also had roles and recurring spots on many classic TV shows, including “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
Yet his best-know parts were Dr. Ben Samuels on the first season of the 1982 drama “St. Elsewhere,” which he had to leave because of a Broadway commitment, and a lead role on the 1972 sitcom “Bridget Loves Bernie.
- 5/3/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
David Birney, an actor who found early success on Broadway before landing the co-starring role on a 1972 sitcom, Bridget Loves Bernie, that would be one of the most controversial TV shows of its era, died of Alzheimer’s disease Friday, April 29, at his home in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 83.
His death was reported to The New York Times by his life partner, Michele Roberge.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Cleveland, Birney had studied theater at the University of California, Los Angeles, when in 1965 he began acting in regional theaters across the country, including the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia, and the Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut.
In 1967, he performed in a New York Shakespeare Festival production of A Comedy of Errors, and in 1969 he made his Broadway debut as Cleante in Molière’s The Miser. In all, he appeared...
His death was reported to The New York Times by his life partner, Michele Roberge.
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Cleveland, Birney had studied theater at the University of California, Los Angeles, when in 1965 he began acting in regional theaters across the country, including the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia, and the Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut.
In 1967, he performed in a New York Shakespeare Festival production of A Comedy of Errors, and in 1969 he made his Broadway debut as Cleante in Molière’s The Miser. In all, he appeared...
- 5/3/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
David Birney, a familiar face to ’70s TV audiences with dozens of appearances over five decades, including as the star of “Bridget Loves Bernie,” the short-lived CBS sitcom where he met future wife Meredith Baxter, has died, according to reports. He was 83.
The New York Times reported that Birney died Friday at his home in Santa Monica of Alzheimer’s, citing life-partner Michele Roberge. The Times said he was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2017.
Birney played the titular Bernie Steinberg on “Bridget Loves Birney,” a ratings hit during the 1972-1973 TV season that was nonetheless canceled after just one season. But the connection was made: Birney would wind up dating and marrying his co-star Meredith Baxter, who was known as Meredith Baxter-Birney by the time she played Elyse Keaton on “Family Ties.”
The couple had three children – Kate, Mollie, and Peter – and divorced in 1989. Years after their divorce, Baxter...
The New York Times reported that Birney died Friday at his home in Santa Monica of Alzheimer’s, citing life-partner Michele Roberge. The Times said he was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2017.
Birney played the titular Bernie Steinberg on “Bridget Loves Birney,” a ratings hit during the 1972-1973 TV season that was nonetheless canceled after just one season. But the connection was made: Birney would wind up dating and marrying his co-star Meredith Baxter, who was known as Meredith Baxter-Birney by the time she played Elyse Keaton on “Family Ties.”
The couple had three children – Kate, Mollie, and Peter – and divorced in 1989. Years after their divorce, Baxter...
- 5/3/2022
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.