RIP Joe Colligan

 

Butler Eagle

August 1, 2024

Joseph Patrick Colligan, 68, of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Butler, passed away Tuesday morning, July 30, 2024, at St Joseph Providence Hospital in Burbank, Calif., from complications from colon cancer.

Born on June 24, 1956, in Butler Memorial Hospital to Margaret and James Colligan Sr., Joe was a devout Christian, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend to those he loved dearly.

Joe grew up in the Butler area, graduating from Butler High School in 1974. He so much wanted to attend his 50th class reunion this fall.

While growing up, Joe always dreamed of being on stage, he often kept his family and friends laughing at his original skits, jokes and imitations. In his high school years, he landed on the stages of Butler High School, where he shined in "Barefoot in the Park," "1776," as Charlie in "Flowers for Algernon" and Pellinore in "Camelot." Following high school he attended Clarion University, starring in numerous college theatrical productions and earning the National Championship Award for After Dinner Speaking. He loved stand-up comedy!

After graduation from Clarion University, he moved on to Los Angeles to begin his career in the entertainment business. For more than 40 years, Joe built a very respectable acting resume of roles on television, voice-over and film work. From the beginning of the 1980s, he was a principal actor in "Days of Lives" as Ethan, had a reoccurring role on "Trapper John, M.D.," and made guest appearances on "The Lottery," "Cheers," "Newhart," "The A-Team," "Alf," "Friends," "Give Me A Break," "Ally McBeal," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Strong Medicine," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Mad TV," "Walker, Texas Ranger," etc. He also starred in animated features, "Bernadette: The Princess of Lourdes," "Starchaser: The Legend of Orin," and the weekly animated series "Dino-Riders."

Joe also worked as a writer on the Emmy award-winning Betty White game show, "Just Men!" He worked alongside actors, Ray Liotta, George Peppard, Nell Carter and Calista Flockhart, and director, David E. Kelley. He was also a very successful commercial actor, appearing in hundreds of national commercials for Bud Light, Pepsi Cola, Pizza Hut, Seagram's and Dreyer's Ice Cream to name a few.

He received critical acclaim for his onstage work in Los Angeles for roles in "The Andersonville Trial," "The Fiery Furnace" and received the LA Critics Award for his role as Leslie Williams in "The Hostage."

He is survived by his mother, Margaret Colligan of East Brady; brothers, James Colligan Jr. of Butler, Bruce Colligan of Peoria, Ill., John Colligan of East Brady and Tim Colligan of Sligo; his longtime friends, Donna Collins, Randy Perry, Vicki Blum and John and Gail Walchesky; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by sister, Chris Gizienski; brother-in-law Henry Gizienski; and his father, James Colligan Sr.

Joe lived an exceptional life.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Butler.

COLLIGAN, Joe (Joseph Patrick Colligan)

Born: 6/24/1956, Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 7/30/2024, Burbank, California, U.S.A.

 

Joe Colligan’s westerns – actor:

Paradise (TV) – 1989 (Rencileer)

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) -1994 (J.C. Rooks)