Gavin MacLeod

While he was playing football at Pleasantville High School, he received word from his family, about his father, who had died in 1945, from cancer. After his father's death, his quit the football team, and went back to acting.

Graduated from Pleasantville High School in Pleasantville, New York, in 1947, and received a scholarship to Ithaca College.

Had met Mary Tyler Moore on an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961), years before he worked with her on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970), as her newswriter.

Had quit his role on "McHale's Navy" (1962), due to his battle with alcoholism in 1964. It was suggested by his family and best friend Robert Blake that he to go to an alcohol clinic, where he was getting help. Right around the same time, he also left to do The Sand Pebbles (1966).

Before he was cast opposite Jack Lord in "Hawaii Five-O" (1968), he worked with Lord opposite Betsy Palmer in The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958).

Was a close friend (30 years) of actor Ted Knight long before they appeared together on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970).

Best known by the public for his starring roles as Murray Slaughter on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) and as Capt. Merrill Stubing on "The Love Boat" (1977).

Future actor Ted Lange was said to be an idol of MacLeod's, when he used to watch each and every episode of "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970), before he co-starred with him on "The Love Boat" (1977).

Met Bernie Kopell on the set of "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970), before he co-starred with MacLeod on "The Love Boat" (1977).

His "The Love Boat" (1977) captain exposure led to a long-running gig promoting the Princess Cruises.

Was not the first choice to audition for the lead role as Capt. Merrill Stubing on "The Love Boat" (1977), it was when Aaron Spelling approached Dick Van Patten to play that role, when he was already doing "Eight Is Enough" (1977) at the time.

Remained good friends with Ted Lange during and after "The Love Boat" (1977).

Is one of the three actors to have appeared in every episode of "The Love Boat" (1977).

Has made $20,000-plus for each "The Love Boat" (1977) episode.

Got the lead role on "The Love Boat" (1977) with the encouragement of Aaron Spelling.

His "The Love Boat" (1977) co-star, Jill Whelan, invited him and Bernie Kopell, to her wedding in 2004.

Used to be a spokesperson for Princess Cruises in the 1980s.

Used to be the spokesperson of ELKS - National Foundation Drug Awareness Council in 1984.

January 19, 2004: featured on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) in their segment "Is It Potatoes or Gavin MacLeod?". It was, in fact, Gavin MacLeod.

His mother, Margaret See, died on January 4, 2004, she lived to be 97.

Had a back operation in 2010.