Gavin MacLeod
Gavin MacLeod (born Allan George See; February 28, 1931) is an American film and television character actor, and Christian activist and author, whose career spans six decades. He has also appeared as a guest on several talk, variety, and religious programs.
Gavin MacLeod | |
|---|---|
 MacLeod in a publicity photo for The Mary Tyler Moore Show (July 1970) | |
| Born | Allan George See February 28, 1931 Mount Kisco, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ithaca College (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor, Christian activist, author |
| Years active | 1955–present |
| Known for | Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Rootvik
( m. 1954; div. 1972)Patti Kendig
( m. 1974; div. 1982)
( m. after 1985) |
| Children | 4 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Years | 1952-1954 |
| Rank |  |
| Website | www |
MacLeod's career began in films in 1957, playing opposite Peter Mann in The Sword of Ali Baba (1965). He went on to play opposite Anthony Franciosa in A Man Called Gannon (1968), opposite Christopher George in The Thousand Plane Raid, and opposite Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, and Carroll O'Connor in Kelly's Heroes (1970).
MacLeod achieved continuing television success co-starring opposite Ernest Borgnine on McHale's Navy (1962–1964), as Joseph "Happy" Haines, and on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977) as Murray Slaughter. He is best known for his starring role on ABC's The Love Boat (1977–1986), in which he was cast as ship's Captain Merrill Stubing.
Early life
MacLeod was born Allan George See in Mount Kisco, New York, the elder of two children. His mother, Margaret (née Shea) See (1906–2004), a middle school dropout, worked for Reader's Digest.[1] His father, George See (1906–1945), an electrician, was part Chippewa (Ojibwa).[2] He grew up in Pleasantville, New York, and studied acting at Ithaca College, from which he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor's degree in fine arts.
After serving in the United States Air Force,[3] he moved to New York City and worked at Radio 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.[4] MacLeod said in a 2013 interview with Parade 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," and See was "too confusing."[5]
Career
MacLeod made his television debut in 1957 on The Walter Winchell File at the age of 26. His first movie appearance was a small, uncredited role in The True Story of Lynn Stuart in 1958. Soon thereafter, he landed a credited role in I Want to Live!, a 1958 prison drama starring Susan Hayward. He was soon noticed by Blake Edwards, who in 1958 cast him in the pilot episode of his NBC series Peter Gunn, two guest roles on the Edwards CBS series Mr. Lucky in 1959, and as a nervous harried navy yeoman in Operation Petticoat, with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. Operation Petticoat proved to be a breakout role for MacLeod, and he was soon cast in two other Edwards comedies, High Time, with Bing Crosby and The Party with Peter Sellers.
Between 1957 and 1961, MacLeod made several television appearances. He was cast as the devious Dandy Martin in the 1960 episode, "Yankee Confederate", of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews and starring alongside Tod Andrews and Elaine Devry.[6]
In December 1961, he landed a guest role on The Dick Van Dyke Show as Mel's cousin Maxwell Cooley, a wholesale jeweler. This was his first time working with Mary Tyler Moore. MacLeod had three guest appearances on Perry Mason: in 1961 he played Lawrence Comminger in "The Case of the Grumbling Grandfather", and in 1965 he played Mortimer Hershey in "The Case of the Grinning Gorilla", and Dan Platte in "The Case of the Runaway Racer". He played the role of a drug pusher, "Big Chicken", in two episodes of the first season of Hawaii Five-O. Other guest roles include The Untouchables, Dr. Kildare, Rawhide, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Man from U.N.C.L.E., My Favorite Martian, Hogan's Heroes, Combat!, The Big Valley, The Andy Griffith Show, It Takes a Thief, The Flying Nun, The King of Queens, and That '70s Show.
His first regular television role began in 1962 as Joseph "Happy" Haines on McHale's Navy; he left this role after two seasons to appear in the motion picture, The Sand Pebbles with Steve McQueen.[7] Between the years of 1965 – 69, MacLeod appeared in many weekly episodes in multiple roles on the TV series Hogan's Heroes including Major Zolle (season 1, episode 19), General Metzger (season 3, episode 27) Major Kiegel (season 4, episode 1) and General von Rauscher (season 4, episode 23).[8] Each role was usually a stern and discerning officer of the Schutzstaffel (SS), Luftwaffe or Geheime Staatspolizei (Gestapo) which are vastly different from the lovable characters he portrayed in his subsequent TV roles.
MacLeod's breakout role as Murray Slaughter on CBS' The Mary Tyler Moore Show won him lasting fame and two Golden Globe nominations. His starring role as Captain Stubing on The Love Boat, his next TV series was broadcast in 90 countries worldwide, between 1977 and 1986 (9 seasons). His work on that show earned him three Golden Globe nominations. Co-starring with him was a familiar actor and best friend Bernie Kopell as Dr. Adam Bricker and Ted Lange as bartender Isaac Washington. Lange said in a 2017 interview with The Wiseguyz Show of MacLeod that "Oh yeah, sure, Gavin was wonderful. Gavin lives down here in Palm Springs and we're still tight, all of us, Gavin and Bernie and Jill; we still see each other. Fred lives in a different state, we're still close, we're still good friends."[9]
MacLeod became the global ambassador for Princess Cruises in 1986. He has played a role in ceremonies launching many of the line's new ships.[10] In 1997, MacLeod joined the Love Boat cast on The Oprah Winfrey Show. After The Love Boat, MacLeod toured with Michael Learned of The Waltons in Love Letters. He made several appearances in musicals such as Gigi and Copacabana between 1997 and 2003.[11][12] In December 2008, he appeared with the Colorado Symphony in Denver.[13]
MacLeod and his wife have been hosts on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for 17 years, primarily hosting a show about marriage called Back on Course.[14] MacLeod appeared in Rich Christiano's Time 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 film The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.
Recent activity
In April 2010, the entire cast of The Love Boat attended the TV 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 MacLeod was doing well.[15] In December, MacLeod appeared as a guest narrator with the Florida Orchestra and Master Chorale of Tampa Bay for three concerts.
MacLeod served as the honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades for five years, until Sugar Ray Leonard succeeded him in 2011.[16] On February 28, 2011, MacLeod celebrated his 80th birthday aboard Golden Princess on Princess Cruises in Los Angeles, California. His friends and family, wished him a Happy Birthday, and presented him with a 5 ft. long, 3D replica in cake of Pacific Princess, the original "Love Boat".[17]
MacLeod appeared on the special for Betty White's 90th birthday on January 17, 2012. He reunited with White to film "Safety Old School Style", an in-flight safety video for Air New Zealand in 2013.[18] By January 2013, the video had been viewed two million times on YouTube. In October 2013, MacLeod appeared on Today to begin the promotional tour for his new book This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. This appearance included a special set change to honor MacLeod's appearance on the show. In addition to television appearances, his book tour continued in New York, Los Angeles, and Central Florida. Loretta Swit and Ted Lange were both present at MacLeod's first Barnes & Noble book signing in New York City. This signing was the largest such event held at that particular location in three years. He continued his book tour throughout 2014.
On November 5, 2013, MacLeod joined his Love Boat castmates live on the CBS daytime show The Talk. A full one-hour episode was dedicated to the cast reunion. The Talk co-hosts dressed in costumes to commemorate their special guests' arrivals. Spanish-American actress Charo also appeared on the reunion show. Charo guest-starred in eight episodes of The Love Boat. Jack Jones performed the Love Boat theme song, which he introduced in 1977.[19]
In December 2013, MacLeod appeared on The 700 Club to discuss his life and career.
On February 1, 2014, MacLeod was honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in downtown Palm Springs, California.
In January 2015, MacLeod appeared in the Rose Parade along with several members of the original cast of The Love Boat.[20]
In 2017, MacLeod starred in the play Happy Hour at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) in Rancho Mirage, California. He received a best acting award for his work on the project.
Writing
In 1987, following MacLeod's conversion and remarriage, he and his wife, Patti, wrote about struggles with divorce and alcoholism in Back On Course: The Remarkable Story of a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage.
In 2013, MacLeod released his memoir,[21] This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. The book recalls his upbringing in upstate New York during the Great Depression, as well as his life after more than fifty years in Hollywood. 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."[22] In the book, MacLeod recounts his stories as a young actor trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood, the lifelong friends he has made, his bout with alcoholism and divorce and his journey through faith and Christianity.
Personal life
MacLeod married his current wife Patti in 1974. Both were previously divorced. The couple divorced in 1982, but remarried in 1985. During the mid-1980s, MacLeod and Patti became Evangelical Protestants and credit their faith for bringing them back together.[23]
During his time as the Captain on The Love Boat, MacLeod "very selfishly" (his words) divorced his wife Patti. She then spent the next three years seeking help from psychiatrists on both the West and the East coasts. Then one day, his wife received a telephone call from Patti Lewis, first wife of Jerry Lewis, inviting her to a Christian prayer group which contained a number of famous actresses who started to pray for Gavin. MacLeod later said, "From that day, I started to think about her. Something told me to call Patti. I called Patti. I went back to see her the following Monday and things haven't been the same since." MacLeod asked her what had happened. She then explained everything to him including that she had given her life to Jesus Christ.[24]
On September 20, 2009, MacLeod discussed his conversion to Christianity at The Rock Church in Anaheim, California with further guest appearances in 2012.[25]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | I Want to Live! | The Lieutenant |
| 1959 | Compulsion | Padua – Horn's Assistant |
| 1959 | Pork Chop Hill | Private Saxon |
| 1959 | Operation Petticoat | Seaman Ernest Hunkle, USN |
| 1959 | The Gene Krupa Story | Ted Krupa (uncredited) |
| 1960 | Twelve Hours to Kill | Johnny |
| 1960 | High Time | Professor Thayer |
| 1961 | The Crimebusters | Harry Deiner |
| 1962 | War Hunt | Pvt. Crotty |
| 1964 | McHale's Navy | Seaman Joseph Haines |
| 1965 | The Sword of Ali Baba | Hulagu Khan |
| 1965 | McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force | Seaman Joseph Haines |
| 1965 | Deathwatch | Emil |
| 1966 | Baby Makes Three | Dr. Charles Norwood |
| 1966 | The Sand Pebbles | Crosley |
| 1968 | A Man Called Gannon | Lou |
| 1968 | The Party | C.S. Divot |
| 1969 | The Thousand Plane Raid | Sgt. Kruger |
| 1969 | The Comic | 1st Director |
| 1969 | The Intruders | Warden |
| 1970 | Kelly's Heroes | Moriarty, Oddball's bow machine-gunner and mechanic |
| 2002 | Time Changer | Dr. Norris Anderson |
| 2009 | The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry | Jonathan Sperry |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Walter Winchell File | Crook | Episode: "Act of Folly" |
| 1958 | U.S. Marshal | Buck | Episode: "The Arraignment" |
| 1958 | The Walter Winchell File | Stone Ballston | Episode: "The Walkout" |
| 1958–60 | Peter Gunn | George Fallon / Mitch Borden | 2 episodes |
| 1959–60 | Mr. Lucky | Salesman / Bugsy McKenna | 2 episodes |
| 1959 | Men Into Space | Dave Parsons | "Lost Missile" |
| 1959–62 | The Untouchables | Three-Fingered Jack White / William 'Porker' Davis / Whitey Metz | 3 episodes |
| 1960–68 | Death Valley Days | Phil Arnold / Dandy Martin | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | Dr. Kildare | Lorenzo Lawson | Episode: "Winter Harvest" |
| 1961 | Straightaway | Episode: "The Heist" | |
| 1961 | The Dick Van Dyke Show | Maxwell Cooley | Episode: "Empress Carlotta's Necklace" |
| 1961 | The Investigators | Frankie Giff | Episode: "Style of Living" |
| 1961–65 | Perry Mason | Dan Platte / Mortimer Hershey / Lawrence Comminger | 3 episodes |
| 1962–64 | McHale's Navy | Seaman Joseph "Happy" Hanes | 73 episodes |
| 1964 | The Munsters | Paul Newmar | Episode: "The Sleeping Cutie" |
| 1965 | Rawhide | Rian Powers | Episode: "The Meeting" |
| 1965 | Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. | Fred Fay | Episode: "Dance, Marine, Dance" |
| 1965 | The Andy Griffith Show | Bryan Bender / Gilbert Jamel | 2 episodes |
| 1965 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Cleveland | Episode: "The Hong Kong Shilling Affair" |
| 1965–66 | My Favorite Martian | Alvin Wannamaker | 2 episodes |
| 1966–69 | Hogan's Heroes | Gen. von Rauscher / Maj. Kiegel / Gen. Metzger / Maj. Zolle | 4 episodes |
| 1967 | Combat! | British Cpl. Tommy Behan | Episode: "The Masquers" |
| 1966 | The Rat Patrol | Sgt. Gribs | Episode: "The Fatal Chase Raid" |
| 1967 | The Road West | Nick Marteen | Episode: "The Eighty-Seven Dollar Bride" |
| 1967–69 | The Big Valley | Clute / O'Leary / Mace | 3 episodes |
| 1968–70 | It Takes a Thief | Gen. Contell / Seymour / Maj. Kazan | 3 episodes |
| 1968 | Death Valley Days | prospector Phil Arnold | Episode: "The Great Diamond Mines" |
| 1969 | The Flying Nun | Harold Harmon | Episode: "A Star Is Reborn" |
| 1968–69 | Hawaii Five-O | Big Chicken | 2 episodes |
| 1970–77 | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Murray Slaughter | 168 episodes |
| 1974 | Only with Married Men | Jordan Robbins | Movie |
| 1974 | Tattletales | Himself | Games Show/One Week (5 episodes) with wife Patti |
| 1977 | Ransom for Alice! | Yankee Sullivan | Movie |
| 1977–87 | The Love Boat | Captain Merrill Stubing | 250 episodes |
| 1980 | Murder Can Hurt You | Nojack | Movie |
| 1980 | Scruples | Curt Arvey | Miniseries |
| 1985 | Hotel | Martin 'Merrick' Brenner | Episode: "Fallen Idols" |
| 1986 | The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible | Daniel | Episode: "Daniel and the Lion's Den" |
| 1987 | Student Exchange | Vice Principal Durfner | Movie |
| 1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Art Sommers | Episode: "The Big Show of 1965" |
| 1991 | The General Motors Playwrights Theater | Michael Holmes | Episode: "The Last Act Is a Solo" |
| 1993 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Robert Carter | Episode: "If I Die Before I Wake" |
| 1994 | Burke's Law | Jerry Marz | Episode: "Who Killed the Host at the Roast?" |
| 1998 | Love Boat: The Next Wave | Captain Merrill Stubing | Episode: "Reunion" |
| 2000 | Oz | Cardinal Frances Abgott | Episode: "Works of Mercy" |
| 2001–02 | The King of Queens | Uncle Stu | 2 episodes |
| 2002–03 | JAG | Raymond Harrick | Episode: "Standards of Conduct" |
| 2003 | Touched by an Angel | Calvin | Episode: "The Show Must Not Go On" |
| 2006 | That '70s Show | Smitty | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | The Suite Life on Deck | Mr. Barker | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Pound Puppies | Captain Gumble (voice) | Episode: "Bone Voyage" |
References
- Biography for Gavin MacLeod on IMDb
- Kessler, Judy (February 27, 1978). "Gavin Mac Leod, Love Boat (and Jump Rope) Skipper, Graduates from Mtm with a Hit". People. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- "MacLeod, Gavin 1930- (Gavin Mac Leod, Gavin McLeod, O. D. Warbux)". Encyclopedia.com. 2004. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- MacLeod, Gavin (October 29, 2013). This is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. Thomas Nelson. p. 32. ISBN 978-0849965289.
beatrice macleod.
- "The Love Boat Captain Gavin MacLeod Reveals Struggle With Alcohol Abuse". Parade. October 19, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- "Yankee Confederate on Death Valley Days". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- "Gavin MacLeod – The Interview". Flamingnose. October 13, 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- "Gavin MacLeod". IMDb. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
- "Wiseguyz interview Ted Lange". The Wiseguyz Show. March 15, 2017. 1:10:00 minutes in. DDV Radio. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- "Princess Cruises Honors Love Boat Captain Gavin MacLeod for 30 Years Serving as Global Ambassador" (Press release). Princess Cruises. July 6, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- Lefkowitz, David (January 15, 1998). "MacLeod & Montevecchi, Together Again at TUTS' Gigi". Playbill.
- Ehren, Christine; Lefkowitz, David (December 15, 2000). "Though Skipper MacLeod Has Left, Copacabana Tour Plays On". Playbill.
- "Cleo Parker Robinson Dance steps in for the holidays". The Denver Post. December 10, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- Banks, Adelle M. (October 23, 2013). "Gavin McLeod, 'Love Boat' Captain, Now An 'Ambassador For Christ'". HuffPost. Religion News Service.
- Harris, Will (April 23, 2010). "A chat with Ted Lange…? You got it!". Premium Hollywood. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- Cotal, Sharon (June 17, 2011). "Pacific Palisades Welcomes New Honorary Mayor". Pacific Palisades Patch. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
- "Princess Cruises Celebrates Gavin MacLeod's 80th Birthday" (Press release). Princess Cruises. March 2, 2011.
- Safety Old School Style. United States: Air New Zealand. 9 October 2013.
- Takeda, Allison (November 5, 2013). "Love Boat Reunion! See Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, and Other Cast Members Together Again After 27 Years". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- Irwin, Richard (December 27, 2014). "Rose Parade 2015: 'Love Boat' cast reunites for Princess Cruise float". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- King, Susan (November 8, 2013). "Gavin MacLeod captains a memoir". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- Sortal, Nick (November 11, 2013). "In town to promote Princess Cruises, Gavin MacLeod talks 'Love Boat' and new book". Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, Florida. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- Tucker, Ernest (February 27, 1987). "'Chapter Two' ends happily for MacLeods". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved 2018-08-31 – via HighBeam Research.
- Presenter: Bob Rogers (October 27, 2008). "Interview on The Bob Rogers Show". The Bob Rogers Show. 10:29 AEDT minutes in. 2CH.
- Sanchez, Steve (4 June 2012). "The One Minute Gospel: Gavin McLeod (From the Love Boat!)". Stonethepreacher.com. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
External links
- Official Goodreads Page
- Gavin MacLeod on IMDb
- Gavin MacLeod at the Internet Broadway Database
- Works by or about Gavin MacLeod in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- Gavin MacLeod at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
- TBN page
| Preceded by Steve Guttenberg |
Honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, California 2006–2011 |
Succeeded by Sugar Ray Leonard |