David Birney, Actor in ‘St. Elsewhere’ and ‘Bridget Loves Bernie,’ Dies at 83

variety.com:

William Earl David Birney, who starred on the first season of the buzzy medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” as well as the short-lived but controversial sitcom “Bridget Loves Bernie,” about a Catholic woman marrying a Jewish man, has died at 83.

His life partner Michele Roberge confirmed the news to the New York Times, and said he died due to Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Santa Monica.Birney’s nearly-40 year television career began with a bit part in 1969 in the series “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” all the way through to an appearance in “Without a Trace” in 2007.

Along the way, he had guest roles and recurring spots on many classic TV shows, including “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat” and “Hawaii Five-O.” Yet his best-know parts were Dr.

Ben Samuels on the first season of “St. Elsewhere,” which he had to leave because of a Broadway commitment, and a lead role on “Bridget Loves Bernie.” The interfaith sitcom was met with big ratings, but also criticism from Jewish groups due to sterotypes.The sitcom also introduced Birney to his co-star Meredith Baxter, to whom he was married from 1974 until 1989.More to come….