Veteran actor Gavin MacLeod passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021, he was 90. The actor was well known for his portrayals of Murray Slaughter on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” and Captain Merrill Stubing on “The Love Boat.”
MacLeod was born in 1931 in Mount Kisco, New York, as Allan See. After serving in the Air Force, MacLeod moved to New York City to pursue acting. According to the actor, people found his last name too confusing. So he changed his name to Gavid MacLeod to pay homage to an acting teacher.
He acted in several small roles across the industry, but his breakout role was on the successful “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” From 1970 until 1977, he portrayed Murray Slaughter, a newswriter at the Minneapolis television station WJM.
Actor Ed Asner his costar on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” expressed his condolences on Twitter. “My heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food), and my comic conspirator,” Asner wrote.
After the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” was canceled in 1977, he landed a lead role as Captain Merrill Stubing on “The Love Boat.” The popular cruise ship TV program lasted for nine seasons. After the show’s ending, the actor continued to portray the character in costume at appearances. He also was a Princess Cruises “ambassador.” They are the company that provided the cruise ship used in the series.
He continued to act on shows including “The King of Queens,” “That 70s Show,” and “JAG.”
Written by Ebonee Stevenson
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Vanity Fair: Gavin MacLeod, Star of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat, Dies at 90; by Jordan Hoffman
CNN: Actor Gavin MacLeod of ‘The Love Boat’ and ‘Mary Tyler Moore’ dies at age 90; by Andy Rose
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