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Soap opera veteran Bruce French has passed away at the age of 79. Best known for his Passions character, playing Father Lonigan on the daytime drama, The Hollywood Reporter has noted the actor died this past Friday, in L.A. due to Alzheimer’s complications. French was diagnosed with the condition four years ago.
Bruce French’s Legacy
French was married to Days of Our Lives alum Eileen Barnett (ex-Brooke Hamilton). The two were wed on January 20, 1991.
The actor was born in Reinbeck, Iowa on July 4, 1945, and earned a degree from the University of Iowa. French also served in the U.S. Army and fought in the Vietnam War. In addition, he studied acting at The University Tisch School of the Arts in New York.
French’s acting career began in 1972 when he performed in the off-Broadway play, The Shadow of a Gunman, and then had a role in the 1974 movie, Man on a Swing.
Bruce French’s Impact Within Daytime Drama
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French portrayed Father Lonigan, a blind priest, on Passions, during the soap’s nine-season tenure on NBC, from 1999 to 2008. In the daytime drama, villain Alistair Crane (played by both David Bailey and John Reilly at different points) was the reason behind his character’s sight loss.
French has over 150 credits during his acting career. He had appearances on primetime hits like Dallas, Soap, The Waltons, Family Ties, Falcon Crest, Grey’s Anatomy, Ally McBeal, as well as Cheers, Beverly Hills 90210, Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, and more!
He also appeared in a number of films, including Christine, Mr. Mom, Star Trek’s Insurrection flick, Legal Eagles, Jurassic Park III, Thank You for Smoking, Beautiful Boys, Murphy’s Romance, Wildcats, and Fletch.
Interestingly enough, he was often called to play the role of a priest. He played a chaplain on Hills Street Blues; a reverend on Moonlight; and during an appearance on Herman’s Head, French was a minister.
The actor is survived by his wife, Barnett, as well as his nieces, Paula and Claire. On behalf of everyone here at
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CTS, we send our condolences to Bruce French’s family, friends, loved ones, colleagues, and fans.
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