Stanley Kamel, who played Eric Peters on "Days of Our Lives" from 1972-1976, and who had played Monk's psychiatrist, Charles Kroger, on "Monk" since 2002, has died. Kamel was found dead in his Hollywood home of an apparent heart attack on April 9, 2008. He was 65.

Kamel was born and raised in South River, New Jersey on January 1, 1943. He first got the acting bug at the age of four. He attended Rutgers Preparatory School and later graduated from the Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts. He moved to New York and studied drama under famed acting coach Sandy Meisner. He started his acting career in some off-Broadway productions. He moved to California and joined Screen Gems' New Talent Program. He made his first television appearance on "Mission: Impossible" in 1969. Kamel's first big break came in January 1972, when he joined the cast of "Days of Our Lives" as Eric Peters. His character fathered a daughter, Annie, with Susan Martin and they left Salem together in 1976.

After leaving "Days", Kamel continued to appear in supporting roles in numerous films and television series. Some of his more notable roles came as an AIDS-inflicted lawyer on "L.A. Law", as a doctor on "Murder One", as a mobster on "Melrose Place", and as Dylan's father-in-law on "Beverly Hills, 90210." For the past six years he had played Adrian Monk's psychiatrist on the hit USA Network series "Monk."

In a 1974 article, Kamel stated: "I used to be more concerned with living for tomorrow, in a kind of fantasy world where I wasn't really aware of what was going on around me. Now I like to think I live for today. I live life for what it is. I am responsible for my own life. It took me a long time to learn who I am. And I keep learning."

A USA Network statement released stated: “USA is deeply saddened by the news of Stanley Kamel's passing. Stanley was an amazingly talented and extremely kind man, and an important member of the USA family. He will be sorely missed." Funeral arrangements are pending.

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I think many soap fans will also know him from his role on 90210 as Dylan's wife's father...the one who got Dylan's wife killed..

I remember Stanley Kamel very well from his run on DAYS as Eric Peters. I drive my husband nuts because every time we watch an episode of Monk and see a scene with Dr. Kroger, I say "that's Eric from Days". He was a very good actor and seemed to be a good man as well. This is very sad news.

Edited April 10, 200817 yr by Days4Life

Didnt he play Sams father on GH? Or am I thinking of somebody else?

I think many soap fans will also know him from his role on 90210 as Dylan's wife's father...the one who got Dylan's wife killed..

Yes, I recognize him from this . How sad. R.I.P.

He didn't play a mobster on Melrose Place. He played Bruce, Amanda's boss at D&D Advertising, who memorably hanged himself in his office and then came back to haunt Amanda in the obligatory "A Christmas Carol" episode.

He will be missed.

LOVE him on Monk!

What will Mr.Monk do without his Shrink?

ohhh now i remember who he is, he was also on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Dylans wifes father, I think he was responsible for Dylans fathers "death" He was a pretty decent actor. My sympathies and prayers are with his family