He was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 24, 1938. He was married to Elizabeth Ashley from 1962 until they divorced in 1965. He was married to Michele Lee from 1966 until they divorced in 1982. He was married to Debrah Farentino from 1985 until they divorced in 1989. He was married to Stella Farentino from 1994 until his death in 2012. He had a son, David Farentino.