Stage Veteran, 'Murphy Brown' Star Pat Corley Dies at 76

Pat Corley, a stage veteran best-known for his work as Phil the barkeep on "Murphy Brown," passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 76. 

The cause of death was cited by son Jerry Corley as congestive heart failure.  Corley had previously undergone heart surgery.

Corley, who was raised in Dallas and who started out in theatre, appeared on Broadway in Blues for Mr. Charlie, The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild, the 1974 revival of Of Mice and Men (as Carlson) and the 1975 revival of Sweet Bird of Youth (as Boss Finley).

He was also a dancer with the Stockton, CA Symphony Ballet for four seasons.

His film credits included Walking Across Egypt, Coming Home, The Last Word, The Rose and Against All Odds, while his many TV credits included "Cagney & Lacey," "Murder, She Wrote," "Hill Street Blues" (on which he played Coroner Wally Nydorf), "Barnaby Jones," "The Waltons" and "Roots."

He played good-natured bartender Phil on "Murphy Brown" throughout the show's run from 1988 through 1996.

He is survived by sons Jerry and Kevin, daughters Troy Corley and Christina Pratt, and 12 grandchildren. His wife Iris, an actress, passed away a year ago.