Gavin MacLeod

Actor


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Gavin MacLeod (1931-2021) talks about changing his name from Allan See to Gavin MacLeod and his early years as an actor in theater, movies, and as a guest on such television series as Peter Gunn and The Untouchables. He discusses his appearance as a regular on McHale's Navy and how despite playing the character of "Happy Haines," it was an unhappy period in his life where he experienced a bout with alcoholism. He speaks earnestly about inspiring others to overcome such obstacles and describes his own career resurgence after appearing in Robert Wise's The Sand Pebbles and as a notable recurring character on Hawaii Five-O. MacLeod then details the roles in the two series for which he is best remembered and most beloved, playing "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and "Captain Merrill Stubing" on The Love Boat. Regarding both series, he talks about how he was cast, his thoughts on the other regulars and the series creators, and he reminisces about memorable series episodes. He also mentions his recent talk show series Back on Course: A Ministry for Marriages, a series on the Trinity Broadcasting Network that he co-hosted with his wife, Patti. Karen Herman conducted the interview on January 3, 2003 in Santa Monica, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"You think about this guy that tried to commit suicide during McHale's Navy and is now with his wife trying to save peoples' lives. What a change, huh?"      

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08
Gavin MacLeod on The Mary Tyler Moore Show episodes "Murray in Love" and "Mary's Three Husbands"
03:41
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing," and on classic stars like Lana Turner and Mary Martin guest-starring
04:02
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12
Gavin MacLeod on how The Love Boat came about for him, and on producer Aaron Spelling allowing him flexibility to do plays
07:19
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on what he was looking for when he decided to be an actor, and his family's reaction; on his earliest work on stage
On the first Broadway play he appeared in "A Hat Full of Rain"; on moving to Los Angeles, and starting to work in feature films
On the first time he saw television, and on early shows he watched including Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle; on his first television appearance in a religious program called Lamp Unto My Feet; on his early representation as an actor

Chapter 2

On the decision to change his name; on being cast by Blake Edwards for a guest-starring role on Peter Gunn; on being cast by Blake Edwards in the feature film "Operation Petticoat," and on encountering Cary Grant again several years later
On guest-starring on The Untouchables with Robert Stack; on guest-starring on Perry Mason with Raymond Burr; on playing multiple guest-starring roles and the same series, and on how casts regard a guest-star
On guest-starring on Dr. Kildare; on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner

Chapter 3

On being cast as "Joseph 'Happy' Haines" on McHale's Navy; on guest-starring on My Favorite Martian ; on appearing in the Robert Wise directed feature film "The Sand Pebbles"
On guest-starring on Hogan's Heroes, and on working with Bob Crane on the show; on guest-starring on Ben Casey, and on Cloris Leachman; on guest-starring on Hawaii Five-O
On being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show; on the pilot for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on the first few episodes; on his Mary Tyler Moore Show character "Murray Slaughter"

Chapter 4

On specific episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show; on how he prepared to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on his relationships on the show; on how his character "Murray Slaughter" changed over the course of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
On Mary Tyler Moore Show director Jay Sandrich; on Edward Asner as "Lou Grant," and on Betty White as "Sue Ann Nivens" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show; on Ted Knight as "Ted Baxter," and on Mary Tyler Moore as "Mary Richards" on the show
On Mary Tyler Moore Show producer Grant Tinker; on Mary Tyler Moore Show creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns; on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Chapter 5

On the legacy of The Mary Tyler Moore Show; on how The Love Boat came about for him, and on producer Aaron Spelling allowing him flexibility to do plays; on the elder guest-stars of The Love Boat
On Marion Ross playing the love interest of "Captain Merrill Stubing" on The Love Boat; on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing," and on classic stars like Lana Turner and Mary Martin guest-starring; on Bernie Kopell as "Adam 'Doc' Bricker" on The Love Boat
On Fred Grandy as Ship's Purser "Gopher Smith"; on Ted Lange as Bartender "Isaac Washington" on The Love Boat; on Lauren Tewes as Cruise Director "Julie McCoy" on The Love Boat

Chapter 6

On Lauren Tewes leaving The Love Boat; on Jill Whelan as "Vicki Stubing" on The Love Boat; on the producers of The Love Boat
On his favorite episodes of The Love Boat to work on; on the end of The Love Boat; on The Love Boat: The Next Wave
On hosting a religious program with his wife; on his drive to continue working; on advice to an aspiring actor
Shows

Ben Casey

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Ben Casey, and on Cloris Leachman
02:19

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12

Dr. Kildare

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Dr. Kildare
01:02

Hawaii Five-O

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Hawaii Five-O as "Big Chicken"
03:58

Hogan's Heroes

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Hogan's Heroes, and on working with Bob Crane on the show
01:56

Lamp Unto My Feet

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Gavin MacLeod on his first television appearance in a religious program called Lamp Unto My Feet
01:04

Love Boat, The

View Show Page
Gavin MacLeod on how The Love Boat came about for him, and on producer Aaron Spelling allowing him flexibility to do plays
07:19
Gavin MacLeod on the elder guest-stars of The Love Boat
02:22
Gavin MacLeod on Marion Ross playing the love interest of "Captain Merrill Stubing" on The Love Boat
03:45
Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character Captain "Merrill Stubing," and on classic stars like Lana Turner and Mary Martin guest-starring
04:02
Gavin MacLeod on Bernie Kopell as "Adam 'Doc' Bricker" on The Love Boat
02:39
Gavin MacLeod on Fred Grandy as Ship's Purser "Gopher Smith"
02:43
Gavin MacLeod on Ted Lange as Bartender "Isaac Washington" on The Love Boat
01:30
Gavin MacLeod on Lauren Tewes as Cruise Director "Julie McCoy" on The Love Boat
01:25
Gavin MacLeod on Lauren Tewes leaving The Love Boat
02:17
Gavin MacLeod on Jill Whelan as "Vicki Stubing" on The Love Boat
02:30
Gavin MacLeod on working with Love Boat producer Aaron Spelling
01:44
Gavin MacLeod on working with Love Boat producers Douglas S. Cramer and Henry Coleman
03:42
Gavin MacLeod on his favorite episodes of The Love Boat to work on
03:00
Gavin MacLeod on the end of The Love Boat
00:56

Love Boat, The: The Next Wave

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Gavin MacLeod on The Love Boat: The Next Wave
02:01

Mary Tyler Moore Show, The

View Show Page
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on the pilot for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on the first few episodes
03:44
Gavin MacLeod on his Mary Tyler Moore Show character "Murray Slaughter"
01:44
Gavin MacLeod on The Mary Tyler Moore Show episodes "Murray in Love" and "Mary's Three Husbands"
03:41
Gavin MacLeod on specific episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:27
Gavin MacLeod on how he prepared to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on his relationships on the show
04:36
Gavin MacLeod on how his character "Murray Slaughter" changed over the course of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
01:59
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08
Gavin MacLeod on Edward Asner as "Lou Grant" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
01:42
Gavin MacLeod on Betty White as "Sue Ann Nivens" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:15
Gavin MacLeod on Ted Knight as "Ted Baxter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:43
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore as "Mary Richards" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:35
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore Show producer Grant Tinker
00:59
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore Show creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns
01:39
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08
Gavin MacLeod on the legacy of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:50

Mary Tyler Moore Show, The: "The Last Show"

View Show Page
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08

McHale's Navy

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Gavin MacLeod on being cast as "Joseph 'Happy' Haines" on McHale's Navy
05:45
Gavin MacLeod on his McHale's Navy character "Joseph 'Happy' Haines"
02:28

My Favorite Martian

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on My Favorite Martian
00:49

Perry Mason

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Perry Mason with Raymond Burr
01:06

Peter Gunn

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Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Blake Edwards for a guest-starring role on Peter Gunn
05:38

Texaco Star Theater

View Show Page
Gavin MacLeod on the first time he saw television, and on early shows he watched including Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle
02:42

Untouchables, The

View Show Page
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Untouchables with Robert Stack
03:21
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on advice to an aspiring actor
03:35

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on his Mary Tyler Moore Show character "Murray Slaughter"
01:44
Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing"
04:02

Classic TV series episodes

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08

Comedy

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08

First Big Break

View Topic
Gavin McLeod on the first Broadway play he appeared in "A Hat Full of Rain"
06:15

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Gavin McLeod on the first Broadway play he appeared in "A Hat Full of Rain"
06:15

Pop Culture

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on his Mary Tyler Moore Show character "Murray Slaughter"
01:44
Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08
Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing"
04:02

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

View Topic
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Untouchables with Robert Stack
03:21

Television Industry

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Gavin MacLeod on his early representation as an actor
03:17
Gavin MacLeod on advice to an aspiring actor
03:35

We Cried

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Gavin MacLeod on "The Last Show," the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:08
Professions

Actor

View Profession
Gavin MacLeod on his early representation as an actor
03:17
Gavin MacLeod on playing multiple guest-starring roles and the same series, and on how casts regard a guest-star
02:49
Gavin MacLeod on being cast to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and on following his instincts at the audition
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on how he prepared to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on his relationships on the show
04:36
Gavin MacLeod on advice to an aspiring actor
03:35

Performers

View Profession
Gavin MacLeod on his early representation as an actor
03:17
Gavin MacLeod on playing multiple guest-starring roles and the same series, and on how casts regard a guest-star
02:49
Gavin MacLeod on being cast to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and on following his instincts at the audition
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on how he prepared to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and on his relationships on the show
04:36
Gavin MacLeod on advice to an aspiring actor
03:35
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12
Gavin MacLeod on playing "Joseph 'Happy' Haines" on McHale's Navy
08:13
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on My Favorite Martian
00:49
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Hogan's Heroes, and on working with Bob Crane on the show
01:56
Gavin MacLeod on playing "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
09:11
Gavin MacLeod on co-starring as "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
28:18
Gavin MacLeod on playing "Captain Merrill Stubing" on The Love Boat
25:45
Gavin MacLeod on starring on The Love Boat
16:10

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Blake Edwards for a guest-starring role on Peter Gunn
05:38
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Untouchables with Robert Stack
03:21
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Hawaii Five-O
03:58

Legal Dramas

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Perry Mason with Raymond Burr
01:06

Medical Dramas

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Dr. Kildare
01:02
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Ben Casey, and on Cloris Leachman
02:19

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on the first time he saw television, and on early shows he watched including Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle
02:42

Religious Programming

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on hosting a religious program with his wife
03:00

Service Shows

View Genre
Gavin MacLeod on his first television appearance in a religious program called Lamp Unto My Feet
01:04
People

Edward Asner

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Gavin MacLeod on Edward Asner as "Lou Grant" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
01:42

James L. Brooks

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Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore Show creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns
01:39

Allan Burns

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Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
03:43
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore Show creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns
01:39

Raymond Burr

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Perry Mason with Raymond Burr
01:06

Douglas S. Cramer

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Gavin MacLeod on working with Love Boat producers Douglas S. Cramer and Henry Coleman
03:42

Dick Van Dyke

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12

Blake Edwards

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Blake Edwards for a guest-starring role on Peter Gunn
05:38
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Blake Edwards in the feature film "Operation Petticoat," and on encountering Cary Grant again several years later
05:38

Fred Grandy

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on Fred Grandy as Ship's Purser "Gopher Smith"
02:43

Cary Grant

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Blake Edwards in the feature film "Operation Petticoat," and on encountering Cary Grant again several years later
05:38

Ted Knight

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on Ted Knight as "Ted Baxter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:43

Bernie Kopell

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Gavin MacLeod on Bernie Kopell as "Adam 'Doc' Bricker" on The Love Boat
02:39

Ted Lange

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on Ted Lange as Bartender "Isaac Washington" on The Love Boat
01:30

Cloris Leachman

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on Ben Casey, and on Cloris Leachman
02:19

Sheldon Leonard

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12

Mary Martin

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing," and on classic stars like Lana Turner and Mary Martin guest-starring
04:02

Mary Tyler Moore

View Interview Page
Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore as "Mary Richards" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:35

Carl Reiner

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Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on working with Sheldon Leonard and Carl Reiner
03:12

Jay Sandrich

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Gavin MacLeod on Mary Tyler Moore Show director Jay Sandrich
01:34

Aaron Spelling

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Gavin MacLeod on working with Love Boat producer Aaron Spelling
01:44

Robert Stack

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on guest-starring on The Untouchables with Robert Stack
03:21

Lauren Tewes

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on Lauren Tewes as Cruise Director "Julie McCoy" on The Love Boat
01:25
Gavin MacLeod on Lauren Tewes leaving The Love Boat after season seven
02:17

Grant Tinker

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Gavin MacLeod on Grant Tinker
00:59

Lana Turner

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Gavin MacLeod on his Love Boat character "Captain Merrill Stubing," and on classic stars like Lana Turner and Mary Martin guest-starring
04:02

Jill Whelan

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on Jill Whelan as "Vicki Stubing" on The Love Boat
02:30

Betty White

View Interview Page
Gavin MacLeod on Betty White as "Sue Ann Nivens" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
02:15

Ethel Winant

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Gavin MacLeod on being cast by Ethel Winant, Allan Burns, and James L. Brooks to play "Murray Slaughter" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show
03:43

Robert Wise

View Person Page
Gavin MacLeod on appearing in the Robert Wise directed feature film "The Sand Pebbles"
03:10

All Interviews

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