Passions fame Bruce French dies at 79 due to Alzheimer’s

Who is Bruce French?

Bruce French, the talented and reliable character actor known for his extensive work in theater, has passed away at the age of 79. He was widely recognized for his role as Father Lonigan, the blind priest on the soap opera Passions, where his character possessed an uncanny ability to sense when evil was approaching.

French's impressive career spanned multiple decades, earning him a reputation for his versatile performances on both stage and screen. His contributions to the acting world, especially in supporting roles, have left a lasting impact, and he will be remembered for his dedication to his craft.

He passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by his wife of 34 years, actress Eileen Barnett, known for her role on Days of Our Lives. French had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s roughly four years ago.

The couple first met at the University of Iowa, reconnected 25 years later, and married in January 1991. In addition to Barnett, French is survived by his nieces, Claire and Paula.

His death marks the end of a long and respected career in acting, leaving behind cherished memories for both his family and fans.

The Iowa-born actor, with over 150 credits on IMDb, made numerous guest appearances on David E. Kelley’s popular shows including L.A. Law, Picket Fences, Ally McBeal, The Practice, Boston Public, and Boston Legal. He also featured in three Star Trek series—The Next Generation, Voyager, and Enterprise—as well as in the 1998 film Star Trek: Insurrection.

Additionally, Bruce French portrayed the wealthy neighbor of Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver’s deceptive characters in both seasons of the 2007-08 FX drama The Riches.

Bruce French had a recurring role as the compassionate Father Lonigan throughout the entire nine-season run of Passions, which aired on NBC from July 1999 and concluded on DirecTV’s 101 Network in August 2008. A staple in the New England town of Harmony, Father Lonigan frequently found himself at odds with the villainous businessman Alistair Crane (played first by David Bailey and later by John Reilly), whose actions ultimately led to the priest losing his sight.

In addition to his role in Passions, Bruce French portrayed men of faith in Mission: Impossible III (2006) and in numerous other films and TV shows throughout his career. His wife, Eileen Barnett, revealed that French even owned a priest’s clerical collar, which he would bring with him to auditions, a testament to his commitment to his roles.

Bruce French's extensive career also included notable appearances on the big screen in films such as Christine (1983), Mr. Mom (1983), Fletch (1985), Murphy’s Romance (1985), Legal Eagles (1986), Wildcats (1986), Jurassic Park III (2001), Mr. Deeds (2002), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Beginners (2010), and Beautiful Boy (2010).

On television, he showcased his talent in a wide variety of iconic shows, including The Waltons, Soap, Dallas, Family Ties, Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Falcon Crest, Cheers, Designing Women, Who’s the Boss?, Beverly Hills, 90210, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Bones, Mad Men, Eli Stone, and Grey’s Anatomy.