Joe E. Tata — best known as the owner of the Peach Pit on “Beverly Hills, 90210” — has died. He was 85.
Castmate Ian Ziering remembered Tata on Instagram Thursday, writing, “In the last few months we’ve lost Jessica Klein one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m very sad to say Joe E Tata has passed away.
“Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the ‘Rockford Files’ with James Garner years before we worked together on ‘90210,’ ” Ziering, 58, said of the native New Yorker who co-starred alongside original series stars Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris and the late Luke Perry.
Joe E. Tata attends the “Beverly Hills, 90210” Peach Pit pop-up on August 3, 2019.Getty Images“He was often one of the background villains in the original ‘Batman’ series,” Ziering added. “One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness.”
Tata was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014.
The Post has contacted the veteran character actor’s reps for comment.
Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, Joe E. Tata, Vincent Young, Ian Ziering, Jennie Garth, Luke Perry and Tori Spelling of “Beverly Hills, 90210.”FilmMagic, Inc
He appeared in 238 episodes of “90210” from 1990 to 2000 as Nat Bussichio — the owner of the diner where the high schoolers would hang out.
Tata reprised his role in several appearances in the show’s spinoff.
His other credits include “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Rockford Files,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Batman” and “The A-Team.”
