Veteran Actor Bruce French Dies at 79 from Alzheimer's

Bruce French, the beloved character actor known for his role as Father Lonigan on the soap opera Passions, passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. His wife, Eileen Barnett, confirmed that he died on February 7 in Los Angeles, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer's four years prior. French's portrayal of the blind priest, who possessed a unique ability to sense evil, spanned over 400 episodes from 1999 to 2008, where he became a fixture in the fictional town of Harmony. In addition to his iconic role on Passions, he had an extensive career with over 150 acting credits, including appearances in notable series such as Star Trek, L.A. Law, and Ally McBeal, as well as films like Jurassic Park III and Mission: Impossible III. Born on July 4, 1945, in Iowa, French graduated from the University of Iowa and served in the Vietnam War before pursuing acting. He is survived by his wife and two nieces, who fondly remember him as a cherished family member and a talented performer.