Actor, Peter Donat dies at 90

Peter Donat the Canadian-American actor who played Agent Fox Mulder’s father on ‘The X-Files’ and acted in two Francis Ford Coppola films, is dead.

Peter Donat who died on Monday at his home in Point Reyes, Calif was90, and according to his wife Maria, the actor died from complications of diabetes. The actor who is most recognizable for his ‘The X-Files’ role, was also a frequent stage actor, playing Cyrano deBergerac, Prospero, Shylock, King Lear and Hadrian VII over the years. He began his career in 1953 and was a familiar face on television for decades.

The actor was also part of the cast for movies like “The F.B.I.,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Mannix,” McMillan & Wife,” “Hill Street Blues” and “Murder, She Wrote.”The Canadian-born actor originated from Kentville, Nova Scotia, and was drawn to acting by the career of his uncle, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips’” Robert Donat. His career began on stage, and he nabbed a few television roles before making his Broadway debut in 1957in “The First Gentleman.”

In addition to his wife, Donat is survived by his sons, Caleb, Christopher and Lucas; two stepdaughters, Barbara Park Shapiro and Marina Park Sutton; a stepson, Malcolm Park; 11 grandchildren; and his brother, Richard, who is also an actor.