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How did David Birney die? 'Bridget Loves Bernie’ star, 83, battled Alzheimer's for 5 years

Birney toplined an adaptation of 'Serpico' and played Dr. Ben Samuels on the first season of 'St. Elsewhere'

'Bridget Loves Bernie’ and ‘St. Elsewhere' actor David Birney died aged 83. Birney died last week in his home in Santa Monica. Birney's ex-wife Meredith Baxter remembered the late star in a statement.

"I was very saddened by the death of David Birney. My heart goes out to our children, Kate, Peter and Mollie. David was a dominant influence in their lives and the loss of him will be deeply felt," the 'Family Ties' actress told PEOPLE. "And I send love and support to Michele Roberge, David's life-partner, who so lovingly cared for him for many many years."

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How did David Birney die?

Birney, a stage and television performer, reportedly died of Alzheimer's after battling the disease for five years, his life partner Michele Roberge told The New York Times. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2017.

Birney toplined an adaptation of 'Serpico' and played Dr Ben Samuels on the first season of 'St Elsewhere'. He was a frequent stage actor who appeared in the New York Shakespeare Festival and on Broadway. He starred alongside Lauren Hutton and Adrienne Barbeau in 1978’s 'Someone’s Watching Me'.

Birney married Meredith Baxter in 1974. The two had starred together in 'Bridget Loves Bernie'. The pair had three children together -- Kate, Mollie, and Peter. They divorced in 1989 and in 2011, Baxter clamied that Birney emotionally and physically abused her during their marriage. Birney dismissed the allegations. 

Tributes poured in on social media after the news of Birney's death surfaced. "Sad to learn that David Birney has passed at the age of 83. I remember him best from TV’s Bridget Loves Birney. He was married to actress Meredith Baxter from 1974 to 1990," one user wrote on Twitter. "R.I.P. David Birney, you were a fantastic actor in many diverse roles but you'll always be the understanding divorced dad in OH GOD, BOOK ll (1980)," wrote another. One user commented, "RIP David Birney. Saw you in a lot of TV shows over the years."

"David Birney who captured hearts and ratings during the 70s sitcom, Bridget Loves Birney has died at 83. I had such a crush on him as a kid. He was a longtime theater actor and a father," one user wrote, while another said, "I remember Bridget Loves Bernie. I had a crush on David Birney. He was so talented. I will miss his being on this plane." "Farewell, #DavidBirney. As a @dartmouth student I saw him perform #TalleysFolly with his then-wife, @MeredithBax
on campus -- beautiful performances of a favorite play," one user wrote.