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Actor Bruce French Has Died, Cause of Death Revealed

CultureCelebs
By Craig Garrett
February 10, 2025 | 11:07 a.m. CST
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Photo by Sarah2 / Shutterstock

Bruce French, a veteran character actor and fan favorite for his role as Father Lonigan on the camp soap opera Passions, has died. He was 79.

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French passed away on Friday in Los Angeles from complications related to Alzheimer’s, his wife of 34 years, Eileen Barnett—best known for her role on Days of Our Lives—told The Hollywood Reporter.

French, credited with over 150 roles on IMDb, is best known as the kind-hearted Lonigan on Passions. The show aired for nine seasons, debuting on NBC in July 1999 before concluding on DirecTV’s 101 Network in August 2008. Set in the quaint New England town of Harmony, the story often saw French’s character at odds with the devious businessman Alistair Crane (portrayed by David Bailey and later John Reilly), whose ruthless actions led to Lonigan losing his sight.

The Iowa native showcased his talent in multiple guest-starring roles for David E. Kelley, appearing on acclaimed series such as L.A. Law, Picket Fences, Ally McBeal, The Practice, Boston Public, and Boston Legal. A familiar face in the Star Trek universe, he appeared in three series — The Next Generation, Voyager, and Enterprise. He also appeared in the 1998 film Star Trek: Insurrection. He also appeared in the 2007-08 FX drama The Riches, playing the wealthy neighbor of Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver’s clever characters throughout both seasons.

French often portrayed men of faith in his acting career, including his role in 2006’s Mission: Impossible III. According to THR, he even owned a priest’s clerical collar, which he would bring along to auditions.

Bruce French’s Prolific Career Included Appearances in Cheers, Gilmore Girls and Mad Men

Born on July 4, 1945, in Reinbeck, Iowa, French graduated from the University of Iowa, served in the Vietnam War, and studied acting at NYU’s Tisch School. He starred off-Broadway in 1972 and made his film debut in Man on a Swing (1974). Notable roles followed in Coming Home and Bloodbrothers (1978).

French had a prolific career in film and television, appearing in notable movies like Christine, Fletch, and Jurassic Park III. On TV, he featured in popular shows such as The Waltons, Dallas, Cheers, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, and Grey’s Anatomy.

One of French’s standout roles was Lucky in the L.A. Actors Theatre’s 1977 production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, which was filmed for KCET’s Theatre in America series. Another notable performance came in 2009. He played the disheartened schoolmaster Andrew Crocker-Harris in Terence Rattigan’s The Browning Version at the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice.

French was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about four years ago, his wife Barnett shared. The couple met at the University of Iowa and reconnected 25 years later, eventually marrying in January 1991.

He is survived by his wife and his two nieces, Claire and Paula.