Actor James Farentino Dies at 73

Los Angeles - James Farentino, a prolific actor who had an occasionally tumultuous personal life, has died. He was 73.

The actor died of heart failure Tuesday at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center after a lengthy illness, according to a family spokesman.

Farentino made his Broadway debut in 1961 in "Night of the Iguana." He also recreated the role of Stanley Kowalski in a well-received 1973 revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire."

His movie roles included "The Pad and How to Use It," for which he won a a Golden Globe Award in 1967 as Most Promising Newcomer. Among his other film credits were "Me, Natalie" and "The Final Countdown."

On the small screen, Farentino appeared on "ER," "Dynasty," "Melrose Place," "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers," and the mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth," for which he received an Emmy nomination.

The Brooklyn-born Farentino, who was married four times, at times found himself in trouble with the law. He pleaded no contest to stalking his ex-girlfriend, Tina Sinatra, the younger daughter of Frank Sinatra, in 1994.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Stella, and two sons.

Funeral plans were not immediately announced.