Roger E. Mosley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger E. Mosley
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Mosley, 1980.
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Roger Earl Mosley
December 18, 1938 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | August 7, 2022 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Jordan High School |
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| Known for | Playing Theodore "T.C." Calvin in Magnum, P.I. |
| Spouse(s) | Antoinette Laudermilk |
| Children | 3 |
Roger Earl Mosley (born December 18, 1938 – died August 7, 2022) was an American actor, director, and writer. He was most famous for playing the helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin in the TV show Magnum, P.I.. This popular show was on CBS from 1980 to 1988.
Contents
Who Was Roger E. Mosley?
Roger Mosley's Early Life and School
Roger Earl Mosley was born on December 18, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. His mother, Eloise, raised him in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. He grew up in the Imperial Courts public housing area. For high school, Roger Mosley went to Jordan High School.
Roger Mosley's Acting Career
Roger Mosley started his acting career in the early 1970s. He appeared in a movie called Terminal Island in 1973. In this movie, he worked with Tom Selleck, who would later become his co-star in Magnum, P.I.. In 1974, Mosley also started his own theater group called the Watts Repertory Company.
His Favorite Role: Leadbelly
One of Roger Mosley's most important film roles was in the 1976 movie Leadbelly. He played the main character, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, a famous musician. The movie was directed by Gordon Parks. Mosley said in an interview that playing Leadbelly was his favorite role.
Playing T.C. in Magnum, P.I.
Roger Mosley became very well-known for his role as Theodore "T.C." Calvin in the TV series Magnum, P.I.. He played T.C. from 1980 to 1988. T.C. was a helicopter pilot who owned a tourist charter business called Island Hoppers. He was also a good friend to Tom Selleck's character, Thomas Magnum.
Mosley even returned to the Magnum, P.I. world for the new version of the show. In 2019, he appeared in an episode as Booky, who was T.C.'s barber. The actor who played T.C. in the new series, Stephen Hill, said it was a great honor to have Mosley on the show.
Other TV Shows and Movies
Roger Mosley was a busy actor. He appeared in many other TV shows as a guest star. Some of these shows include Night Court, Kung Fu, Starsky & Hutch, and The Rockford Files. He also had a role in the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.
He was also in several films, including some from the "blaxploitation" era like The Mack (1973). Later, he appeared in movies like McQ (1974) with John Wayne, The Greatest (1977), and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) with Martin Lawrence. From 1992 to 1993, he played Coach Ricketts in the TV series Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.
Roger Mosley's Personal Life
Roger Mosley was married to Antoinette Laudermilk. They were together for almost 60 years.
Mosley was a certified private helicopter pilot in real life. However, when he filmed Magnum, P.I., he was not allowed to do his own helicopter stunts. Another pilot, who wore a special suit to look like Mosley, did the flying instead.
In 2013, a special event was held for a restored helicopter, similar to the one used in Magnum, P.I.. Both Roger Mosley and his co-star Larry Manetti signed the helicopter.
Roger Mosley's Accident and Death
On July 27, 2022, Roger Mosley was in a car accident in Lynwood, California. He was seriously injured and became paralyzed. He passed away three days later, on August 7, 2022, at the age of 83. He died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to his injuries.
Images for kids
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Mosley in 1980.
