P. Picerni, 'Untouchables' actor, dead at 88

PALMDALE, Calif. - Hollywood character actor Paul Picerni, perhaps best-known as Robert Stack's FBI agent sidekick on television's "The Untouchables," has died. He was 88.

Picerni's daughter Maria Atkinson-Bates says her father died Jan. 12 at Palmdale Regional Medical Center north of Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack at his home in the desert community of Llano, Calif. The death was first reported in the Los Angeles Times.

Besides his role as agent Lee Hobson on "The Untouchables" from 1960 to 1963, Picerni starred in "House of Wax" with Vincent Price in 1953. His other films included "The Scalphunters" in 1968 and "Airport" in 1970.

Picerni appeared in other TV shows, including "Gunsmoke," "Kojak," "T.J. Hooker" and "Perry Mason." - AP