Gavin MacLeod

Gavin MacLeod was an American actor.

MacLeod is best known for playing television newswriter Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970-77, and Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat from 1977-87.

After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, MacLeod moved to New York City and worked at Radio City Music Hall as an usher and elevator operator while pursuing acting.

MacLeod made his film debut in 1958’s I Want to Live (with Susan Hayward), playing a police lieutenant. His other film appearances include Pork Chop Hill (with Gregory Peck), Operation Petticoat (with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis), The Sand Pebbles (with Steve McQueen), The Party (with Peter Sellers), The Comic (with Dick Van Dyke), and Kelly’s Heroes (with Clint Eastwood).

MacLeod also appeared in guest roles in many top television shows, including Perry Mason, Ben Casey, Ironside, Hawaii Five-O, The Big Valley, The Andy Griffith Show, My Favorite Martian, and Hogan’s Heroes. For two seasons, MacLeod played the part of Seaman Joseph “Happy” Haines on McHale’s Navy.

After The Love Boat ended, MacLeod appeared in episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Oz, The King of Queens, JAG, Touched by an Angel, and That ‘70s Show.

MacLeod died May 29, 2021, in Palm Desert, California. He was 90.