John Miranda, an actor and playwright, died Feb. 3 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.
Miranda had a recurring role on Guns of Paradise, a Western that aired on CBS from 1988-91 and starred Lee Horsley, and he appeared in small roles in such films as Falling in Love Again (1980), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) and Innerspace (1987).
Born in New York City on May 27, 1926, Miranda began his career in the theater, playing the undertaker Mr. Sowerberry in a 1965 Broadway production of the musical Oliver! and then on the road.
He later worked for many summers at the Kenley playhouses in the Midwest, sharing stages with the likes of Elaine Stritch, Florence Henderson and Vincent Price.
Miranda came to Los Angeles in the 1970s and appeared on such TV shows as Happy Days, Three’s Company, Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley, St. Elsewhere and Rescue Me.
He wrote a semi-autobiographical play about his family, Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions, which was produced at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and other regional theaters around the U.S. It was published by Samuel French and optioned for a film.
A celebration of Miranda’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Harmony Gold theater at 7655 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.