James Farentino, George Clooney's 'ER' father,' dies at age 73

James Farentino has passed away at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital after a long illness, a family spokesman says. He was 73 years old.

Farentino burst onto the acting scene in the 1960s, earning a Golden Globe award for Most Promising Newcomer for the movie "The Pad and How to Use It." He later earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Simon Peter in the NBC miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth."

Farentino went on to have recurring TV roles on "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers," "Police Story," "Dynasty" and "Blue Thunder." In recent years, he played George Clooney's estranged father Ray Ross on "ER" (pictured above).

He was also famously married to four different Hollywood actresses - Elizabeth Ashley of "Evening Shade" and "Treme," Michele Lee of "Knots Landing," Debrah Farentino of "Eli Stone" and "Eureka" and Stella Farentino of "The Late Show with Craig Kilborn." Farentino is survived by a son, David.