James Joseph Baio (born March 15, 1962) is an American former actor. He began acting on TV at the age of 13. Baio is best known for playing Billy Tate on Soap. His last role was in the 1996 film The Mirror Has Two Faces.
Career Baio first appeared onscreen in 1975 at age 13. He made guest appearances on series such as The Facts of Life, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat, but his best known role was as Billy Tate on the comedy series Soap (1977–81).
Baio's other credits include Matlock, Trapper John, M.D., Matt Houston, Too Close for Comfort and Family Feud. Baio, along with Susan Richardson, participated in the Junior Pyramid special of The $20,000 Pyramid in 1979. He also appeared in the comedy movie The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977) as Carmen Ronzonni.
Personal life He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is the cousin of actor Scott Baio and Vampire Weekend band member Chris Baio. He is also the uncle of Major League Baseball player Harrison Bader.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1975 Ellery Queen Graffiti Artist Episode: "Too Many Suspects" 1975–76 Joe and Sons Nick Vitale Main cast (12 episodes) 1976 The Love Boat Arnold Merritt Television film 1977 The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training Carmen Ronzonni Feature film 1977–81 Soap Billy Tate Main cast (63 episodes) 1978 The Love Boat Norman Episode: "Rocky/Julie's Dilemma/Who's Who?" 1979 Fantasy Island Willie Collins Episode: "Amusement Park/Rock Stars" 1981 Fantasy Island Jimmy Blair Episode: "The Lady and the Monster/The Last Cowboy" 1982 The Facts of Life Buzz Ryan Episodes: "The Academy", "The Big Fight" 1983 Matt Houston Jeb Harmon Episode: "The Yacht Club Murders" 1983 Trapper John, M.D. Jed Episode: "South Side Story" 1983 Too Close for Comfort Freddy Garibaldi Episode: "Family Business" 1985 Brass Tony Covello Television film 1986 Playing for Keeps Steinberg Feature film 1987 Matlock Mark Williams Episode: "The Rat Pack" 1991 Kiss and Be Killed Robert Feature film 1996 The Mirror Has Two Faces Jimmy the Waiter Feature film
References
Further reading Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995, Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, p. 336. Dye, David Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p. 9.
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