| I recently had the great privilege to sit | | | | shows. Hawaii Five-0 is one of the |
| with one of my favorite television and screen | | | | longest-running police series - 12 seasons. |
| stars for an interview. Gavin MacLeod has had | | | | The Love Boat lasted 9 plus seasons. The Mary |
| a diverse and interesting acting career that | | | | Tyler Moore Show - 7 seasons. What was it |
| began in the late 1950s. As we spoke, I was | | | | about these shows that carried such |
| both impressed and awed at his genuine | | | | tremendous audience appeal? |
| personality, gentle spirit and professional | | | | |
| manner. | | | | GAVIN: They had great writers, great stories, |
| | | | had interesting characters, the chemistry of |
| Born Allan George See on February 28, 1930, | | | | the cast members all came together. The |
| New York native Gavin MacLeod fulfilled a | | | | biggest factor might have been that the shows |
| tour in the Air Force before returning to New | | | | were put on TV at the right time at night to |
| York, changing his name and working at Radio | | | | attract large audiences. The Love Boat had |
| City Music Hall. After breaking into the | | | | two pilots that failed. Then they bring me in |
| business in 1958 with his role in I Want To | | | | and the series takes off! |
| Live!, MacLeod went on to star with some of | | | | |
| Hollywood's most noted and respected stars. | | | | ROY: In addition to an impressive list of |
| Topping the list were Cary Grant, Tony | | | | movie credits, you have left an indelible |
| Curtis, Bing Crosby and Mary Tyler Moore. | | | | mark on audiences with memorable characters |
| | | | and appearances in some of television's |
| During the mid-80s, MacLeod and his then | | | | classic shows like McHale's Navy, The |
| ex-wife Patti, remarried and became | | | | Untouchables, Perry Mason, Dr. Kildare, The |
| evangelical Christians. They have been | | | | Munsters, Gomer Pyle, The Andy Griffith Show, |
| serving as hosts on the Trinity Broadcasting | | | | The Man From UNCLE, Hogan's Heroes, The Rat |
| Network for about 14 years. Follow me as I | | | | Patrol, Combat, It Takes A Thief, The Big |
| take a walk down Memory Lane with Mr. | | | | Valley and the Twilight Zone to name a few. |
| MacLeod. | | | | Obviously, typecasting was not a problem for |
| | | | you. What was the secret to your appeal? |
| ROY: Hawaii Five-0 is my all-time favorite TV | | | | |
| show. In the series you played a big, tough | | | | GAVIN: Efficiency. I knew my lines. I was |
| crime boss. The character's look and | | | | always ready. I took chances... almost never |
| personality was unlike most roles audiences | | | | turned down work. On The Big Valley I was |
| equate you with today... The Love Boat, The | | | | thrown from a horse! I remember being so |
| Mary Tyler Moore Show and more. The | | | | sore. Being bald got me jobs, too. Probably |
| connection between my profession in the | | | | my greatest asset! I lost my hair at 18 years |
| travel industry, specializing in cruises, and | | | | old. I would go to casting calls with my |
| my personal pastime was the catalyst for my | | | | hairpiece in a box in case they wanted |
| desire to interview you. Had you spent much | | | | someone with hair. |
| time in Hawaii prior to the show? What was it | | | | |
| like living and working there? | | | | ROY: This year marks the 30th anniversary of |
| | | | The Love Boat and today you are Princess |
| GAVIN: No, I flew over and had to wait for my | | | | Cruises' most recognizable spokesman. From |
| hotel suite to be made ready. Ricardo | | | | this special vantage point, how are today's |
| Montalban was the first guest star and they | | | | Princess ships different from the cruise |
| hadn't finished shooting. I played a tough | | | | ships of the 70s? How has the passenger |
| drug dealer named Big Chicken. When they cast | | | | cruise experience evolved? |
| me for the part, I told my agent, "This does | | | | |
| not describe me. They want someone six-foot | | | | GAVIN: The ships are so much bigger! The |
| four, thin, with a goatee." And I said, "I'm | | | | choices are so many compared to what we had |
| wrong. I mean, I'm only five-foot ten and a | | | | back then. Twenty-four hour dining, movies |
| half and dumpy with no hair." | | | | under the stars, gyms, computer rooms, the |
| | | | shows. The ports have gotten so huge and |
| We shot in the first film studio built on the | | | | crowded with so much shopping. Not only in |
| island. The show was titled, They Painted | | | | town but right at the docks. |
| Daisies On His Coffin. They wrote the | | | | |
| character in a later show that first season | | | | ROY: You cruised around the world. Do you |
| called The Box. It was filmed in a real | | | | have a few favorite destinations you can |
| prison. | | | | share with us? |
| | | | |
| ROY: Actors who worked with Jack Lord called | | | | GAVIN: Alaska is so beautiful! Tahiti has the |
| him a perfectionist. I read that when he | | | | most beautiful water. I love the national |
| started directing the show in the latter | | | | parks in our country: they are breathtaking. |
| years, he would shoot up to 30 takes until he | | | | The most beautiful spot I have ever seen was |
| was happy with the scene. What was your | | | | Lake Como, Italy. We were in Venice and took |
| experience like working with him as an actor? | | | | a car to Milan then drove up to the town. |
| Would you say the description applies? Did | | | | Such breathtaking beauty and the best Italian |
| you ever work with him after the show? | | | | food I have ever eaten! |
| | | | |
| GAVIN: I heard from many actors that he was | | | | ROY: You and your family reside in Southern |
| hard to work with. We got along great! I | | | | California but you grew up in Westchester |
| worked with Jack in a B movie with Betsy | | | | County New York and attended Ithaca College |
| Palmer who was a guest years later on The | | | | right in the heart of the snow belt. Our |
| Love Boat and in The True Story of Lynn | | | | company is based in Yonkers. I have to ask: |
| Stuart back in 1957. I was very lucky. The | | | | do you miss the snow? What do you miss most |
| other cast members were jealous that I got to | | | | about New York and do you get back here to |
| eat lunch with Jack in his private, | | | | visit or work very often? |
| air-conditioned trailer. Jack mentioned | | | | |
| making a movie together in Spain that never | | | | GAVIN: I do miss the snow and sleet. As a kid |
| happened. He got so busy with the series. It | | | | I was very anxious for a snowstorm so I could |
| happens in show business... you keep moving | | | | go out and shovel and make some money. I have |
| on. | | | | an apartment in New York City and try and |
| | | | visit and go to plays a lot. I have seen |
| ROY: You look great! Extremely fit and | | | | Jersey Boys three times already. I was in |
| healthy. What was your secret to getting in | | | | Rochester doing a shoot for a new movie this |
| shape after Hawaii-Five-0 and how do you | | | | past August. I was interviewed recently on |
| maintain your healthy physical condition | | | | Good Morning America, so I have to say I miss |
| today? | | | | New York. |
| | | | |
| GAVIN: I had a heart attack and I want to | | | | ROY: Thank you so much for your time and hope |
| live! My family has big genes... strong | | | | to meet you one day at an industry function. |
| stock. I exercise every morning. The best is | | | | On the Crown Princess last year, they had to |
| yet to come! | | | | stop the line because there was an hour and a |
| | | | half wait to take a picture with you. You |
| ROY: You have been associated with some of | | | | still draw so many fans that keep The Love |
| our generation's longest-running television | | | | Boat very much alive! |