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Actor, director and Oscar-nominated writer Joe Bologna dies at 82

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Joe Bologna, the actor, director and writer known for his role in the 1982 film comedy “My Favorite Year,” has died at age 82.

Bologna died in Los Angeles after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his manager Matt Sherman said.

He was married to actress Renee Taylor, who credited his doctors for prolonging his life so he could receive a lifetime achievement award at the Night of 100 Stars for the Actors’ Fund of America in February.

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“He had a beautiful life,” Taylor said in a statement.

Bologna in July attended a 35th anniversary screening of “My Favorite Year,” in which he played King Kaiser, the star of a TV variety show.

Born Dec. 30, 1934, Bologna was a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. After he graduated from Brown University with a degree in art history, Bologna served in the Marines.

Bologna and Taylor married in 1965.

“Joe was a loveable man, a kind soul, a good friend and always a pleasure to be with,” Sherman said.

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Bologna was nominated for an Oscar in 1971 for best adapted screenplay for “Lovers and Other Strangers.” He won an Emmy in 1973.

He had a string of television appearances and was a voice actor for the 2006 animated film “Ice Age: The Meltdown.” He also had a role in the 1999 Adam Sandler comedy “Big Daddy.”

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UPDATES:

Aug. 15, 9:55 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details of Bologna’s life and a comment from his wife Renee Taylor.

This article was originally published at 9:05 p.m., Aug. 13.

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