Peter Donat, a Canadian-American actor best known for his appearances in The X-Files and The Godfather Part II, died on September 10 of complications from diabetes, according to The New York Times. He died at his home in Point Reyes Station, California, at the age of 90.
Donat, a nephew of the British actor Robert Donat, was born on January 20, 1928 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Following his education at the Yale School of Drama, he went on to a career in movies, TV shows, and stage plays that spanned 50 years.
On TV, he played the recurring character of William Mulder, the father of David Duchovny's Agent Fox Mulder, on The X-Files, appearing in several episodes of the series in the late '90s. Outside of that show, Donat had a regular role on the NBC series Flamingo Road. He also made appearances on Murder, She Wrote, The Outer Limits, Hill Street Blues, Charlie's Angels, and Dallas.
Donat was equally prolific when it came to his appearances in movies. Aside from his role in The Godfather Part II, Donat's movie appearances include The Game, The War of the Roses, The China Syndrome, and Skin Deep. He also worked with director Francis Ford Coppola a second time in 1988's Tucker: The Man and His Dream.
Donat's last role was in the TV movie Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle in 2003. He is survived by his wife, three sons, three stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, and his brother, actor Richard Donat.
