Actor Stanley Kamel Passes Away

Veteran actor Stanley Kamel, who portrayed Eric Peters from 1972-1976, was found dead on Tuesday, April 8 in his Los Angeles home from an apparent heart attack, according to the Los Angeles Times and various other sources. He was 65.

Kamel was born on January 1, 1943, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He made his first television appearance in the series Mission: Impossible in 1969. He acted in off-Broadway productions, but got his first big break when he landed the role of Eric Peters on DAYS in 1972. Long-time DAYS fans may recall that his character fathered a daughter, Annie Peters, with Susan Hunter Martin.

Kamel appeared in numerous other television series and movies throughout the years, including Kojak, Charlie's Angels, Eight is Enough, Mork and Mindy, Cagney and Lacey, Murder One, L.A. Law, and many others. He most recently starred on the USA Network series Monk as Dr. Charles Kroger, Monk's psychiatrist.

Prime-time soap fans may notably remember him as Bruce Teller on Fox's Melrose Place, a role which got him attention in 1994 as Amanda Woodward's suicidal boss. In his last episode, Kamel's character hung himself, which horrified Amanda, played by the gorgeous and talented Heather Locklear. Kamel also gained attention in 1995 as Tony Marchette on Fox's prime-time soap Beverly Hills 90210. His character, Tony, was a scheming father-in-law who put a hit out on Dylan McKay, played by Luke Perry. Unfortunately, Tony's daughter got caught in the crossfire and was killed instead.

USA Network released the following statement: "Stanley was an amazingly talented and extremely kind man, and an important member of the USA family. He will be sorely missed."

Heartfelt condolences go out to Stanley Kamel's family and friends during this difficult and sad time.

Neilson Barnard / 2008 Getty Images