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Jay Thomas, 'Murphy Brown' Actor And Radio Host Dies At 69

LOS ANGELES (CBS SF/AP) — A publicist for Jay Thomas says the actor and radio host has died. Thomas was 69.

In a statement Thursday, publicist Tom Estey said his longtime friend and client will be dearly missed by many.

Estey didn't provide further details about Thomas' death.

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Thomas played Eddie LeBac, the former-hockey-player husband of barmaid Carla on "Cheers." He played tabloid TV show host Jerry Gold on "Murphy Brown," for which he won two Emmys.

Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas & Shalita Grant (credit: Skip Bolen/CBS)

He also starred in the sitcom "Love & War" as a sports writer romancing the woman who owned his favorite sports bar. Thomas also played Marc Maslow on an episode of CBS' "NCIS: New Orleans" (pictured).

His films roles include "Mr. Holland's Opus" and second and third "Santa Clause" films.

Thomas started out as a DJ in college and in recent years hosted a talk show on SiriusXM Radio.

 

TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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