'Rhoda' star Groh dead of kidney cancer

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Actor David Groh, who earned notoriety for his role on the 1970s TV comedy "Rhoda," has died of kidney cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 68.

Family members of Groh, who burst onto the entertainment scene in 1974 with his role on the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" spin-off, confirmed the actor died Tuesday at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported.

After performing on the popular sitcom as Joe Gerard until 1977, Groh went on to enjoy roles on such TV series as "General Hospital" and "Police Story."

Groh also acted on Broadway in productions such as 1993's "Twilight of the Gods" and playwright Neil Simon's "Chapter Two."

The Times said Groh is survived by his wife, actress Kristin Andersen, his son Spencer, his mother and a sister.