Actor James Farentino, who appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, has died in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 73.

Family spokesman Bob Palmer said Mr Farentino died of heart failure after a long illness at Cedars-Sinai Hospital.

Mr Farentino starred alongside Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen in the 1980 science fiction film The Final Countdown.

He also starred opposite Patty Duke in 1969’s Me, Natalie.

He also had recurring roles on Dynasty, Melrose Place, The Bold Ones: The Lawyers and ER, playing the estranged father to George Clooney’s character.

A four-time divorcee, Mr Farentino’s tumultuous personal life made headlines, too.

In March 1994 he pleaded no contest to stalking his ex-girlfriend Tina Sinatra, daughter of Frank Sinatra.