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Brian Tarantina of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Dead at 60

Associated Press

   NEW YORK - Brian Tarantina, a character actor who was most recently
   known for his role in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," has died in his
   Manhattan home. He was 60.

   The New York Police Department said officers responded to the apartment
   on West 51st Street shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday.

   They found Tarantina on his couch, fully clothed but unconscious and
   unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

   The cause of death was being determined by the medical examiner.

   His manager Laurie Smith said he had recently had a severe illness.

   "We are shocked and saddened at the passing of this wonderful actor and
   good friend," she said.

   On "Mrs. Maisel," Tarantina played an emcee at a comedy club called the
   Gaslight.

   The show's star, Rachel Brosnahan, remembered him as "hilarious and
   talented and kind" in an Instagram post . "Our family of weirds won't
   be the same without him," she wrote.

   The show's official Twitter account also posted a tribute to Tarantina.

   "The Gaslight won't be the same without you. Thank you Brian Tarantina
   for sharing in all of the laughs. Sending love to his family and
   friends in this difficult time," it wrote in the post.

   In January, Tarantina was at the Screen Actors Guild Awards when the
   show won the comedy series ensemble category.

   Tarantina had roles in a number of television shows and movies,
   including "Gilmore Girls" and "BlacKkKlansman."