Scolari died Friday morning of cancer after a two-year battle with the disease. His manager confirmed his death with Variety.
He may best be known as Tom Hanks’ co-star in Hanks’ break out role in “Bosom Buddies.” Hanks played Kip opposite Scolari’s Henry, two men who needed to find an affordable apartment in New York and dressed in drag, taking on the personas of their own sisters, Buffy and Hildegard respectively, to live in a building that was for women only.
Scolari also was nominated for three supporting actor Emmy Awards as Michael Harris on “Newhart,” opposite Bob Newhart.
More recently he appeared in the HBO television show “Girls” as Lena Dunham’s father and CBS supernatural drama “Evil,” Deadline reported.
He also appeared on other shows like “Murphy Brown,” “Ally McBeal” and “From “The Earth To The Moon.”
Film credits include Hanks’ “The Polar Express” and a cameo in Hank’s directed “That Thing You Do!”
Scolari also appeared on Broadway in “Hairspray,” “Wicked” and once again shared billing with Hanks in “Lucky Guy,” Deadline reported.
Scolari leaves behind his wife, Tracy Shayne and four children.
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Peter Scolari through the years 1980: (L-R) Georgia Engel, Merwin Goldsmith, Marcia Lewis, Peter Scolari, Adrian Zmed, Francine Tacker, Annie Potts, Lorna Patterson promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Goodtime Girls'. (Photo by Denis Plehn /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/ABC)
Peter Scolari through the years 1980: Peter Scolari promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Goodtime Girls'. (Photo by Denis Plehn /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/ABC)
Peter Scolari through the years 1980: (L-R) Peter Scolari, Tom Hanks being interviewed on the ABC tv special 'P.I.P.'s'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/ABC)
Peter Scolari through the years Peter Scolari publicity portrait from the television series 'Bosom buddies', 1980. (Photo by ABC/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years "Bosom Buddies" November 1, 1980. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
TOM HANKS;PETER SCOLARI (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Peter Scolari through the years 1981: (L-R) Donna Dixon, Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Wendie Jo Sperber promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Bosom Buddies'. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Archives/ABC)
Peter Scolari through the years American actress Holland Taylor (center, as Ruth Dunbar) stands with her arms around actor Tom Hanks (left, as Kip Wilson) and actor Peter Scolari (as Henry Desmond) in a scene from the pilot episode of the television comedy series 'Bosom Buddies,' Los Angeles, California, November 27, 1980. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Pictured from left is Bob Newhart (as Dick Loudon) and Peter Scolari (as Michael Harris) in the CBS television show, NEWHART. September 1, 1982. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Circus of the Stars, a CBS television special. The ninth edition, originally broadcast on December 2, 1984. Pictured from left is Peter Scolari (juggling) with female assistant. Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years CBS television series, NEWHART. Pictured back row from left Peter Scolari (as Michael Harris), Julia Duffy (as Stephanie Vanderkellen), Tom Poston (as George Utley). Front row from left is Bob Newhart (as Dick Loudon), Mary Frann (as Joanna Loudon). The series ran from October 25, 1982 to May 21, 1990. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Pictured from left is Peter Scolari (as Michael Harris) and Julia Duffy (as Stephanie Vanderkellen) in the NEWHART episode, "Thanksgiving for the Memories," November 24, 1986. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari and son Nicholas Scolari attend The Moscow Circus Opening Night Performance on March 14, 1990 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari attends the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Police-Celebrity Golf Tournament on May 14, 1994 at Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Peter Scolari through the years (L-R) Peter Scolari, "Gypsy" star Cathy Trien, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Matthew Morrison celebrate at the opening night party for the revival of "Gypsy" at Gustavino's May 1, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images) (Bruce Glikas/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actors Peter Scolari and Tom Hanks arrive at the premiere of "Polar Express" and the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 7, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari (R) and actress Tracy Shayne (L) attend the special gala for the 7,486th performance of "Phantom Of The Opera" at the Majestic Theater in New York City on January 9, 2006. "Phantom" is now the longest running show on Broadway, beating out "Cats". (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Tom Hanks (L) and actor Peter Scolari attend the 8th Annual TV Land Awards at Sony Studios on April 17, 2010 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years (L-R) Tom Hanks, Holland Taylor, Bob Boyett and Peter Scolari attend "Ann" Broadway Rehearsal Performance at Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 16, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images) (Robin Marchant/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actors Maura Tierney, Tom Hanks, and Peter Scolari attend the curtain call for the "Lucky Guy" Broadway opening night at The Broadhurst Theatre on April 1, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari takes a bow at Opening Night: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at Bay Street Theatre on August 10, 2013 in Sag Harbor, New York. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for Stellar Productions) (Matthew Peyton)
Peter Scolari through the years Peter Scolari attends the "Girls" season four series premiere at American Museum of Natural History on January 5, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari, winner of Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, poses in the press room at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Tracy Shayne and Peter Scolari attend the AITAF 10th Anniversary Celebration at American Airlines Theatre on November 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Peter Scolari through the years Actor Peter Scolari, winner of Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Girls,' attends the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball at Microsoft Theater on September 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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