Gavin MacLeod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gavin MacLeod
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MacLeod in a publicity photo for The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970
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| Born |
Allan George See
February 28, 1931 Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.
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| Died | May 29, 2021 (aged 90) Palm Desert, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Ithaca College (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor, author |
| Years active | 1955–2017 |
| Known for | Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 4 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Years | 1952–1954 |
| Rank |  Airman |
Gavin MacLeod (born Allan George See; February 28, 1931 – May 29, 2021) was an American actor. He was famous for playing two well-loved characters. These were news writer Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He also played ship's captain Merrill Stubing on ABC's The Love Boat.
MacLeod's acting career lasted for six decades. He also became a Christian television host and author. He appeared on many talk shows, variety shows, and religious programs.
Contents
Early Life and Name Change
Gavin MacLeod was born Allan George See in Mount Kisco, New York. He was the older of two children. His mother, Margaret, worked for Reader's Digest. His father, George See, was an electrician and part Chippewa (Ojibwe).
Gavin grew up in Pleasantville, New York. He studied acting at Ithaca College and graduated in 1952. After college, he served in the United States Air Force. Then, he moved to New York City to find acting jobs. He worked at Radio City Music Hall while trying to start his career.
Around this time, he decided to change his name. He chose "Gavin" from a character in a TV show. He took "MacLeod" from his drama teacher at Ithaca, Beatrice MacLeod. He felt his birth name, Allan See, was "too confusing" and not strong enough for an actor.
Acting Career Highlights
Gavin MacLeod started his TV career in 1957. His first movie role was a small part in The True Story of Lynn Stuart in 1958. Soon after, he got a credited role in I Want to Live!.
The director Blake Edwards noticed him. Edwards cast him in the TV show Peter Gunn and later in Mr. Lucky. MacLeod also played a nervous navy yeoman in the movie Operation Petticoat. This movie was a big step for his career. He then appeared in two more Edwards comedies: High Time and The Party.
In 1961, he had a guest role on The Dick Van Dyke Show. This was his first time working with Mary Tyler Moore. He also appeared on many other popular TV shows. These included Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, and Hawaii Five-O.
MacLeod's first regular TV role was in 1962. He played Joseph "Happy" Haines on McHale's Navy. He left this show after two seasons to act in the film The Sand Pebbles.
His role as Murray Slaughter on CBS's The Mary Tyler Moore Show made him very famous. He was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for this role. After that, he starred as Captain Stubing on The Love Boat. This show was watched in 90 countries and ran for nine seasons. He earned three Golden Globe nominations for The Love Boat. His co-stars included Bernie Kopell and Ted Lange.
Later Work and Public Life
In 1986, Gavin MacLeod became the global ambassador for Princess Cruises. He helped launch many of their new ships. In 1997, he reunited with the Love Boat cast on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
After The Love Boat, MacLeod acted in plays like Love Letters. He also performed in musicals such as Gigi and Copacabana.
MacLeod and his wife, Patti, hosted a show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for 17 years. The show, called Back on Course, was about marriage. MacLeod also appeared in Christian films. He starred in Time Changer (2002) and The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2009).
Recent Activities
In 2010, MacLeod missed a Love Boat cast reunion due to back surgery. His friend Ted Lange said he was doing well. In 2011, MacLeod celebrated his 80th birthday on a Princess Cruises ship. His friends gave him a large cake shaped like the original "Love Boat" ship.
In 2012, he appeared on Betty White's 90th birthday special. They later filmed a funny safety video for Air New Zealand in 2013. This video was watched millions of times online. In October 2013, MacLeod released his book, This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. He went on a tour to promote the book.
In November 2013, he joined his Love Boat castmates on the CBS show The Talk. The whole episode was about their reunion. In 2014, MacLeod received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. In 2015, he appeared in the Rose Parade with other Love Boat cast members. He also starred in a play called Happy Hour.
Writing and Personal Life
In 1987, Gavin and his wife Patti wrote a book called Back On Course: The Remarkable Story of a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage. It was about their own experiences with divorce and remarriage.
In 2013, MacLeod published his own memoir. A memoir is a book about a person's life experiences. His book was called This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. He said he hoped his book would help others learn how to overcome challenges and never give up.
While working at Radio City Music Hall, MacLeod met a dancer named Joan F. Rootvik. They married in 1955 and had four children. They divorced in 1972. In 1974, he married Patti Kendig. They divorced in 1982 but remarried in 1985. They both became evangelical Protestants and believed their faith helped them get back together.
Death
Gavin MacLeod passed away at his home in Palm Desert, California, on May 29, 2021. He was 90 years old. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cathedral City.
Images for kids
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MacLeod with Joyce Bulifant and Michael Higa on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in May 1975
See also
In Spanish: Gavin MacLeod para niños
