Vincent Baggetta was a talented and versatile actor who appeared in many popular TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s. He is best known for his starring role in The Eddie Capra Mysteries, playing the title character for the 13-episode run of the series in 1978–1979. But what was Vincent Baggetta’s cause of death and how did he die? Here are some facts and details about his life and career.
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Early Life and Career
Vincent Baggetta was born on December 7, 1937 in Paterson, New Jersey. He had two sisters, Connie and Karen. He drove a taxi while he sought success as an actor. He had a terrifying experience one night when he was robbed at gunpoint by two criminals.
His career started with bit parts in The Defenders and Naked City in 1962 and The Twilight Zone in 1963. He also did a guest spot as himself on The Hollywood Squares in 1966. He made appearances in several popular TV shows in the 1970s, including Mannix, Cannon, Starsky & Hutch, Kojak, Switch, and Eischied. He appeared as different characters in two episodes of The Rockford Files. He appeared in seven episodes of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman as Father Frank DeMarco.
The Eddie Capra Mysteries
Vincent Baggetta’s most notable role was as Eddie Capra, a lawyer who solved mysteries with the help of his secretary Lacey Brown (Wendy Phillips) and his investigator Harvey Winchell (Ken Swofford). The show was created by Peter S. Fischer, who also co-created Murder, She Wrote. The show had a unique format where each episode began with a murder and then showed the clues that led Eddie to the solution. The show also featured a catchphrase where Eddie would say “Capra out” before hanging up the phone.
The Eddie Capra Mysteries aired on NBC from September 8, 1978 to January 12, 1979. It was canceled after 13 episodes due to low ratings and competition from other shows. However, it has gained a cult following among fans of mystery and crime shows.
Later Roles and Personal Life
After The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Vincent Baggetta continued to work as a TV actor. He played Lou Pellegrino in the short-lived TV series Chicago Story in 1982. He also portrayed Rick Scotti in the series Jack and Mike in 1987. During the 1980s, he appeared on Charlie’s Angels; Vega$; Remington Steele; Fame; Magnum, P.I.; T.J Hooker and Lou Grant. He made two appearances (in different roles) on Murder, She Wrote, three appearances (two different roles) in Hill Street Blues, and seven as Assistant District Attorney John Moretti in The Colbys.
Vincent Baggetta started the 1990s as Father Jarvis in two episodes of Freddy’s Nightmares, a TV spinoff of the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series. He made a third appearance on Murder, She Wrote and had a guest role on NYPD Blue. He also had an uncredited 1995 appearance in the television series Renegade.
Vincent Baggetta was married to Sylvia Kozer from 1973 to 1983. They had one daughter, Trinka Micol Baggetta, who died in 2012.
Vincent Baggetta Cause of Death
On May 2, 2017, Vincent Baggetta died at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 79. According to Wikipedia, his cause of death was undisclosed. However, according to Legacy, he died of a non-communicable disease.
Vincent Baggetta was a talented actor who entertained millions of viewers with his performances. He will be remembered for his rich, deep voice and his charismatic presence on screen. He left behind a legacy of memorable roles and a loyal fan base.
