Gavin MacLeod | |
|---|---|
 MacLeod in a publicity photo forThe Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970 | |
| Born | Allan George See (1931-02-28)February 28, 1931 Mount Kisco, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 29, 2021(2021-05-29) (aged 90) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Ithaca College (BFA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1955–2017 |
| Known for | Murray Slaughter onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show Captain Merrill Stubing onThe Love Boat |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Years | 1952–1954 |
| Rank |  Airman |
Gavin MacLeod (/məˈklaʊd/mə-KLOWD; bornAllan George See; February 28, 1931 – May 29, 2021) was an American actor best known for his roles as news writerMurray Slaughter onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show and ship's captain Merrill Stubing onABC'sThe Love Boat. After growing up Catholic, MacLeod became anevangelical Christian in 1984.[1] His career, which spanned six decades, included work as a Christian television host, author, and guest on several talk, variety, and religious programs.
MacLeod's career began in films in 1957. In 1960 he was on an episode ofDeath Valley Days named "Yankee Confederate". In 1965, he starred inThe Sword of Ali Baba. In 1967 he played a British Cpl. Tommy Behran in an episode of Combat. He went on to appear inA Man Called Gannon (1968), inThe Thousand Plane Raid (1969), and inKelly's Heroes (1970).
MacLeod also achieved continuing television success co-starring alongsideErnest Borgnine[2] onMcHale's Navy (1962–1964) as Joseph "Happy" Haines.
Gavin MacLeod was born Allen George See on February 28, 1931, inMount Kisco, New York.[3] His mother, Margaret (née Shea) See (1906–2004), amiddle school dropout, worked forReader's Digest. His father, George See (1906–1945), anelectrician, was partChippewa (Ojibwe).[4] His brother Ronald was three years his junior. He grew up inPleasantville, New York, and studied acting atIthaca College, from which he graduated in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.[5]
After serving in theUnited States Air Force,[6] he moved to New York City and worked atRadio City Music Hall while looking for acting work. At about this time he changed his name, drawing "Gavin" from a physically disabled victim in a television drama, and "MacLeod" from his Ithaca drama coach, Beatrice MacLeod.[7] MacLeod said in a 2013 interview withParade about his stage name, he "felt as if my name was getting in the way of my success."Allan, he wrote, "just wasn't strong enough," andSee was "too confusing."[8]
MacLeod made his television debut in 1957 onThe Walter Winchell File at the age of 26.[9] His first movie appearance was a small, uncredited role inThe True Story of Lynn Stuart in 1958.[10] Soon thereafter, he landed a credited role inI Want to Live!, a 1958 prison drama starringSusan Hayward.[11] He was soon noticed byBlake Edwards, who in 1958 cast him in the pilot episode of his NBC seriesPeter Gunn, two guest roles on the Edwards CBS seriesMr. Lucky in 1959,[11] and as a nervous and harried Navyyeoman inOperation Petticoat, withCary Grant andTony Curtis.Operation Petticoat proved to be abreakout role for MacLeod, and he was soon cast in two other Edwards' comedies,High Time withBing Crosby andThe Party withPeter Sellers.[12]
In December 1961, he landed a guest role onThe Dick Van Dyke Show, which was his first time working withMary Tyler Moore.[13] MacLeod also had guest appearances onPerry Mason,The Andy Griffith Show,Ben Casey,The Big Valley,Hogan's Heroes,Ironside, andMy Favorite Martian.[13] He played the role of a drug pusher, "Big Chicken", in two episodes of the first season ofHawaii Five-O.[14]
His first regular television role began in 1962 as Joseph "Happy" Haines onMcHale's Navy, but he was frustrated with the role's limitations. He later described Haines as "not much of a character" who had "two lines a week", and was sometimes simply used as a prop: "Sometimes they'd have me stand there. They'd shoot on a back lot, and they'd use me to cover something they didn't want anybody to see on the back lot."[15] McLeod left the show after two seasons to appear as Signalman 2nd Class Crosley in the filmThe Sand Pebbles withSteve McQueen.[2]
MacLeod's second breakout role, as Murray Slaughter onCBS'sThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, won him lasting fame and twoGolden Globe Award nominations.[16] His starring role as Captain Stubing onThe Love Boat, his next television series, was broadcast in 90 countries worldwide, between 1977 and 1986, spanning nine seasons.[16] His work on that show earned him three Golden Globe nominations.[16] Co-starring with him was a familiar actor and best friendBernie Kopell as Dr. Adam Bricker andTed Lange as bartender Isaac Washington. Lange said in a 2017 interview withThe Wiseguyz Show of MacLeod that "Oh yeah, sure, Gavin was wonderful. Gavin lives down here inPalm Springs and we're still tight, all of us, Gavin and Bernie and Jill; we still see each other.Fred (Grandy) lives in a different state, we're still close, we're still good friends."[17]
MacLeod became the global ambassador forPrincess Cruises in 1986. He played a role in ceremonies launching many of the line's new ships.[18][19] In 1997, MacLeod joined theLove Boat cast onThe Oprah Winfrey Show.
AfterThe Love Boat, MacLeod toured withMichael Learned (ofThe Waltons) inLove Letters. He made several appearances in musicals such asGigi andCopacabana between 1997 and 2003.[20][21] In December 2008, he appeared with theColorado Symphony inDenver.[22]
MacLeod and his wife were hosts on theTrinity Broadcasting Network for 17 years, primarily hosting a show about marriage calledBack on Course.[23] MacLeod appeared inRich Christiano'sTime Changer, a movie about time travel and how the morals of society have moved away from the Bible. He also plays the lead role in Christiano's 2009 filmThe Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.[24][2]
In April 2010, the entire cast ofThe Love Boat attended theTV Land Awards with the exception of MacLeod, due to a back operation to repair a couple of injured discs. Former co-star and long-term friend Ted Lange contacted him and received word that MacLeod was doing well.[25] In December, MacLeod appeared as a guest narrator with theFlorida Orchestra and Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.[26]
MacLeod served as the honorary Mayor ofPacific Palisades for five years, untilSugar Ray Leonard succeeded him in 2011.[27] On February 28, 2011, MacLeod celebrated his 80th birthday aboard theGolden Princess on Princess Cruises in Los Angeles, California. His friends and family wished him a happy birthday and presented him with a 5-foot-long (1.5 m) 3-D cake replica of thePacific Princess, the original "Love Boat".[28][29]
MacLeod appeared on the special forBetty White's 90th birthday on January 17, 2012. He reunited with White to film "Safety Old School Style", an in-flight safety video forAir New Zealand in 2013.[30] By January 2013, the video had been viewed two million times onYouTube. In October 2013, MacLeod appeared onToday to begin the promotional tour for his new bookThis Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life.[31] This appearance included a special set change to honor MacLeod's appearance on the show. In addition to television appearances, he continued his national book tour.[32][33]
On November 5, 2013, MacLeod joined hisLove Boat cast mates live on theCBS daytime showThe Talk. A full one-hour episode was dedicated to the cast reunion. TheTalk co-hosts dressed in costumes to commemorate their special guests' arrivals.Spanish-American actressCharo also appeared on the reunion show. Charo guest-starred in eight episodes ofThe Love Boat.Jack Jones performed theLove Boat theme song, which he introduced in 1977.[34]
In December 2013, MacLeod appeared onThe 700 Club to discuss his life and career.[35] The following year, on February 1, MacLeod was honored with a star on thePalm Springs Walk of Stars in downtownPalm Springs, California.[36] In January 2015, MacLeod appeared in theRose Parade along with several other members of the original cast ofThe Love Boat.[37] Later that same year MacLeod starred in the playHappy Hour at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) inRancho Mirage, California, a role which earned him critical praise.[38][39]
In 1987, following MacLeod's conversion to evangelical Christianity and remarriage,[40] he and his wife, Patti, wrote about his struggles with alcoholism and their divorce inBack On Course: The Remarkable Story of a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage.[41]
In the 1980s Gavin and his wife Patti started a seminar called Born Again Marriages in order to share their journey with others going through separation or divorce.
In 2013, MacLeod released a memoir,[42]This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. He said, "...all my living has been based on what other people have written... I hope it can help others, how I overcame and never gave up. There are so many lessons in life."[43] In the book, MacLeod recounted his stories as a young actor trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood, the lifelong friends he made, struggles with alcoholism, divorce, and faith.[44]
While working as an usher and elevator operator atRadio City Music Hall, MacLeod met dancer Joan F. Rootvik, who was a Rockette.[45] They married in 1955 and had two sons and two daughters before divorcing in 1972.[46]
In 1974, he married Patti Kendig.[47] The couple divorced in 1982 and remarried in 1985. During the mid-1980s, they becameevangelical Christians and credited their faith for bringing them back together.[48]
On September 20, 2009, MacLeod discussed his conversion toevangelicalism at The Rock Church inAnaheim, California, and was a guest speaker there in 2012.[49]
MacLeod died at his home inPalm Desert, California, on May 29, 2021, at the age of 90.[40][50][51] He is interred atForest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City.
| Year | Title | Role | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | I Want to Live! | The Lieutenant | [52] |
| 1959 | Compulsion | Padua – Horn's Assistant | [53] |
| 1959 | Pork Chop Hill | Private Saxon | [54] |
| 1959 | Operation Petticoat | Seaman Ernest Hunkle, USN | [55] |
| 1959 | The Gene Krupa Story | Ted Krupa (uncredited) | [56] |
| 1960 | Twelve Hours to Kill | Johnny | [57] |
| 1960 | High Time | Professor Thayer | [58] |
| 1961 | The Crimebusters | Harry Deiner | [59] |
| 1962 | War Hunt | Pvt. Crotty | [60] |
| 1964 | McHale's Navy | Seaman Joseph Haines | [61] |
| 1965 | The Sword of Ali Baba | Hulagu Khan | [62] |
| 1965 | McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force | Seaman Joseph Haines | [63] |
| 1965 | Deathwatch | Emil | [64] |
| 1966 | Baby Makes Three | Dr. Charles Norwood | [65] |
| 1966 | The Sand Pebbles | Crosley | [66] |
| 1968 | A Man Called Gannon | Lou | [67] |
| 1968 | The Party | C.S. Divot | [68] |
| 1969 | The Thousand Plane Raid | Sgt. Kruger | [69] |
| 1969 | The Comic | 1st Director | [70] |
| 1970 | The Intruders | Warden | [71] |
| 1970 | Kelly's Heroes | Private Moriarty, Oddball's bow machine-gunner and mechanic | [72] |
| 2002 | Time Changer | Dr. Norris Anderson | [73] |
| 2009 | The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry | Jonathan Sperry | [44] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Walter Winchell File | Crook | Episode: "Act of Folly" | [9] |
| 1958 | U.S. Marshal | Buck | Episode: "The Arraignment" | [74] |
| 1958 | The Walter Winchell File | Stone Ballston | Episode: "The Walkout" | [9] |
| 1958–60 | Peter Gunn | George Fallon / Mitch Borden | 2 episodes | [11] |
| 1959–60 | Mr. Lucky | Salesman / Bugsy McKenna | 2 episodes | [11] |
| 1959 | Men Into Space | Dave Parsons | "Lost Missile" | [75] |
| 1959 | Steve Canyon | Jack Olsen | Episode: "The Robbery" | |
| 1959–62 | The Untouchables | Artie McLeod / Three-Fingered Jack White / William 'Porker' Davis / Whitey Metz | 4 episodes | [76] |
| 1960–68 | Death Valley Days | Phil Arnold / Dandy Martin | 2 episodes | [77] |
| 1961 | Dr. Kildare | Lorenzo Lawson | Episode: "Winter Harvest" | [78] |
| 1961 | Straightaway | Episode: "The Heist" | [78] | |
| 1961 | The Dick Van Dyke Show | Maxwell Cooley | Episode: "Empress Carlotta's Necklace" | [79] |
| 1961 | The Investigators | Frankie Giff | Episode: "Style of Living" | [80] |
| 1961–65 | Perry Mason | Dan Platte / Mortimer Hershey / Lawrence Comminger | 3 episodes | [81] |
| 1962–64 | McHale's Navy | Seaman Joseph "Happy" Hanes | 73 episodes | [82] |
| 1964 | The Munsters | Paul Newmar | Episode: "The Sleeping Cutie" | [83] |
| 1965 | Rawhide | Rian Powers | Episode: "The Meeting" | [84] |
| 1965 | Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. | Fred Fay | Episode: "Dance, Marine, Dance" | [85] |
| 1965 | The Andy Griffith Show | Bryan Bender / Gilbert Jamel | 2 episodes | [86] |
| 1965 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Cleveland | Episode: "The Hong Kong Shilling Affair" | [83] |
| 1965–66 | My Favorite Martian | Alvin Wannamaker | 2 episodes | [87] |
| 1966–69 | Hogan's Heroes | Gen. von Rauscher / Maj. Kiegel / Gen. Metzger / Maj. Zolle | 4 episodes | [88] |
| 1967 | Combat! | British Sgt. Tommy Behan | Episode: "The Masquers" | [89] |
| 1966 | The Rat Patrol | Sgt. Gribs | Episode: "The Fatal Chase Raid" | [90] |
| 1967 | The Road West | Nick Marteen | Episode: "The Eighty-Seven Dollar Bride" | [91] |
| 1967–69 | The Big Valley | Clute / O'Leary / Mace | 3 episodes | |
| 1968–70 | It Takes a Thief | Gen. Contell / Seymour / Maj. Kazan | 3 episodes | [93] |
| 1968 | Death Valley Days | prospector Phil Arnold | Episode: "The Great Diamond Mines" | [94] |
| 1969 | The Flying Nun | Harold Harmon | Episode: "A Star Is Reborn" | [95] |
| 1968–69 | Hawaii Five-O | Big Chicken | 2 episodes | [96] |
| 1970–77 | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Murray Slaughter | 168 episodes | [97] |
| 1974 | Only with Married Men | Jordan Robbins | Movie | [98] |
| 1974 | Tattletales | Himself | Games Show/One Week (5 episodes) with wife Patti | [99] |
| 1977 | Ransom for Alice! | Yankee Sullivan | Movie | [100] |
| 1977–87 | The Love Boat | Captain Merrill Stubing | 250 episodes | [101] |
| 1980 | Murder Can Hurt You | Nojack | Movie | [101] |
| 1980 | Scruples | Curt Arvey | Miniseries | [102] |
| 1985 | Hotel | Martin 'Merrick' Brenner | Episode: "Fallen Idols" | [103] |
| 1986 | The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible | Daniel | Episode: "Daniel and the Lion's Den" | [104] |
| 1987 | Student Exchange | Vice Principal Durfner | Movie | [105] |
| 1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Art Sommers | Episode: "The Big Show of 1965" | [106] |
| 1991 | The General Motors Playwrights Theater | Michael Holmes | Episode: "The Last Act Is a Solo" | [107] |
| 1993 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Robert Carter | Episode: "If I Die Before I Wake" | [108] |
| 1994 | Burke's Law | Jerry Marz | Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?" | [103] |
| 1998 | Love Boat: The Next Wave | Captain Merrill Stubing | Episode: "Reunion" | [109] |
| 2000 | Oz | Cardinal Frances Abgott | Episode: "Works of Mercy" | [110] |
| 2001–02 | The King of Queens | Uncle Stu | 2 episodes | [111] |
| 2002–03 | JAG | Raymond Harrick | Episode: "Standards of Conduct" | [112] |
| 2003 | Touched by an Angel | Calvin | Episode: "The Show Must Not Go On" | [112] |
| 2006 | That '70s Show | Smitty | 2 episodes | [113] |
| 2009 | The Suite Life on Deck | Mr. Barker | 2 episodes | [114] |
| 2011 | Pound Puppies | Captain Gumble (voice) | Episode: "Bone Voyage" | [115] |
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
| Preceded by | Honorary mayor ofPacific Palisades, California 2006–2011 | Succeeded by |
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