Eddie Mekka, a regular on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley in the 1970s and 1980s and a Tony Award candidate, has died.

According to Mekka’s official Facebook page, he died Saturday at his home in Newhall, California. He was 69 years old when he died, and no cause of death was reported.

In 1976, he was cast in Laverne & Shirley as Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa, Shirley’s (Cindy Williams) boyfriend, and stayed with the show for its entire eight-season run on ABC.

Worcester County Light Opera

Mekka, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, was the founder and director of the Worcester County Light Opera in the early 1970s, and he made his Broadway debut in the 1975 rock opera The Lieutenant. Despite the fact that the production only ran for nine performances, it received four Tony nominations, including one for Mekka in the category of best actor in a musical. He was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance.

He landed the role of Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa, Shirley’s (Cindy Williams) boyfriend, on Laverne & Shirley in 1976 and remained with the series throughout its eight-season run on ABC.

In a tweet, Williams remembered Mekka as “a world-class talent who could do it all,” adding, “I love you dearly. I’ll miss you so much. But oh the marvelous memories…”