Joseph Mascolo, American actor, Died at 87

Joseph Peter Mascolo was born on March 13, 1929, in West Hartford, Connecticut, and died on December 8, 2016.

He was an American musician and dramatic actor.

Over his long career, Mascolo has acted in numerous motion pictures and television series.

He was best known for playing supervillain Stefano DiMera, a role he originated in 1982 on NBC’s Days of Our Lives.

Mascolo’s first film appearance was in 1968’s Hot Spur as Carlo

Joseph’s parents, Anna Mascolo (née DeTuccio; 1910–2010) and Peter Mascolo (1901–2008), were immigrants from Naples, Italy, and had their 80th wedding anniversary shortly before his father died.

He had one sister, Marie LaVoie.

Mascolo attended the United States Military Academy after graduating high school.

He attended the University of Miami.

Trying support himself financially, he studied acting under famed acting coach Stella Adler in New York City.

Mascolo originally trained in classical music.

He married Rose Maimone in 1953.

They had a son named Peter.

His wife Maimone died in 1986.

During 2005, Mascolo married his second wife, Patricia Schultz.

In January 2016, Mascolo told Soap Opera Digest that he had suffered from a stroke in the spring of 2015.

“During my rehab, I thought this would be a good time for Stefano to leave.

He died in Los Angeles, California after years of battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Mascolo was survived by his wife, Patricia Schultz-Mascolo, his son Peter, his step-daughter Laura, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Joseph Mascolo passed away at 87 years old.