Trivia: Best remembered for his high-profile acting roles on two 1970s television sitcoms -- that of genial news writer Murray Slaughter on CBS's The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) and that of sweet-natured Captain Merrill Stubing on ABC's The Love Boat (1977-1986), stage-trained actor Gavin MacLeod in fact began his career typecast as a villain. He landed parts in Hollywood features including The Sand Pebbles (1966), Deathwatch (1966), and The Comic (1969), and enjoyed a tenure as Joseph "Happy" Haines on the sitcom McHale's Navy from 1962 through 1964. After The Love Boat permanently laid anchor in the mid-'80s, MacLeod signed on as a spokesperson and pitchman for Princess Cruises and returned to regional theatrical work. He also tackled guest spots on programs including Touched by an Angel and (in a move that surprised everyone) the HBO prison drama Oz. Off-camera, MacLeod is an outspoken born-again Christian. He hosted a popular talk show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, along with his wife, Patti (whom he divorced in 1982 and remarried three years later), called Back on Course, and personally funded many of the Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible animated videos for children.

Trivia: Universally recognized as Ship's Doctor Adam Bricker on the blockbuster prime-time sitcom The Love Boat (1977-1986) -- a part he held for the entire nine-season run of the series -- actor Bernie Kopell entered the doors of show business via a most unlikely route. Born in Brooklyn, Kopell attended Erasmus High and then New York University (with a dramatic art major). After a stint at sea aboard the naval vessel USS Iowa, Kopell signed on to drive a taxicab in Southern California -- and achieved his big break on the day that Oregon Trail (1959) film producer Dick Einfeld hitched a ride in the back of his cab. In a span of minutes, Kopell reportedly managed to convince Einfeld that he was not really a cab driver but an actor in serious need of work. The effort paid off, and Kopell snagged his first part -- a two-line part in Oregon as an aide to president James K. Polk. In the early '60s, Kopell joined the Actors' Ring Theatre in Los Angeles, where he developed a knack for characterizations and voices; this led, in turn, to character-type roles on a myriad of television programs including The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Steve Allen Show, and My Favorite Martian (which often, though not always, cast the wiry Kopell as a Hispanic). By the early '70s, Kopell had landed steady assignments on Get Smart, Bewitched, That Girl, and other series. The Love Boat, however, embodied his breakthrough. He followed it up with an emcee assignment on The Travel Channel (hosting its Railway Adventures Across Europe) and a surge in theatrical work, with portrayals in regional productions of such plays as Rumors, A History of Shadows, and Death of a Salesman.

Trivia: Actor Fred Grandy enjoyed two distinct careers -- an initial career as an actor and a proverbial second wind on the political stage. As a thespian, Grandy signed for guest spots on early-'70s series including Maude and Phyllis, but built his reputation via his nine-season portrayal of Yeoman-Purser Burl "Gopher" Smith, right-hand man to Captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), on the popular television sitcom The Love Boat (1977-1986). He proved popular with audiences, but by the mid-'80s reportedly grew tired of acting and gravitated to the political arena because he found it more challenging. Indeed, in 1986 -- the year of Boat's cancelation -- Grandy was elected as a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Iowa.

Trivia: For millions of Americans, the prime-time situation comedy The Love Boat will be forever inseparable from the image of Ted Lange, an actor cast for nine seasons as the genial Isaac the Bartender on the Pacific Princess luxury liner and trademarked by his iconic "two-finger drop" greeting. Yet Lange's portrayal of Isaac scarcely hinted at the actor's dexterity or dramatic range. In truth, this actor received classical dramatic training at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and would go on, after the Princess took its final voyage in September 1986, to establish himself as a revered creative force in regional theater.Lange initially broke into films with many portrayals in Hollywood programmers during the early '70s, including Trick Baby (1972), Blade (1972), and Black Belt Jones (1974), and landed a regular role in the one-season ethnic sitcom That's My Mama (1974), as a streetwise philosopher opposite Clifton Davis (Amen) and Theresa Merritt. The Love Boat, of course, brought Lange his most widespread recognition; nonetheless (as indicated), he hearkened back to his theatrical roots beginning in the late '80s and divided his time between writing, directing, and stage acting roles. His resumé as a scribe sports at least 17 original plays including Lemon Meringue Facade, Behind the Mask -- An Evening with Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Evil Legacy -- The Story of Lucretia Borgia, while he has appeared dramatically in productions including Hair and Taming of the Shrew and has directed plays ranging from Othello to the rock & roll musical Born a Unicorn.

Trivia: One of the most prolific and ubiquitous television actors of the latter 20th century in addition to his service as a tireless spokesperson for the disease that was eventually the cause of his untimely demise, Robert Urich was once referred to as the "Teflon Television Man" for his uncanny ability to appear unscathed from the ambitious small-screen failures in which he frequently appeared. His presence in over 15 weekly television series during his 30-year career made him a household name, and his brave struggle against a rare and devastating form of soft-tissue cancer known as Synovial Cell Sarcoma instilled inspiration into countless cancer patients waging a seemingly never-ending uphill battle. Born in Toronto, OH, on December 19, 1946, Urich's youthful athleticism earned him a four-year scholarship to the Florida State University, where he would excel as a defensive lineman and graduated with a B.A. in communications. After next earning an M.A. in broadcast research and management from Michigan State University, Urich settled in Chicago and worked briefly as a radio sales agent and a meteorologist. A fateful late evening while working as a sales account representative at WGN Radio found Urich asked to perform in a Jewish bond drive, with the role sparking an epiphany that he had finally found his true calling. Continuing to develop his skills on community theater stages, the blossoming actor spent the following 18 months performing at the Windy City's Ivanhoe, Arlington Park, and Pheasant Run theaters. A blessing in disguise followed shortly thereafter when executives found out about his moonlighting and fired him from the station, freeing him to pursue his life's calling full-time. Aided in his early career by friend Burt Reynolds, it wasn't long before Urich was spotted by an agent and relocating to Los Angeles to make his television debut in the television series Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1973). Landing a small role in the Clint Eastwood film Magnum Force the same year, Urich's career continued to gain momentum with roles in such popular small-screen series as Soap, S.W.A.T., and alongside Tom Selleck in Bunco. Propelled to stardom with his role in the made-for-television film Vega$ (1978) and the subsequent series of the same name that followed, Urich would also appear infrequently in film, though his true calling remained on the small screen, where his presence spanned nearly every genre and format. The early '80s found him landing increasingly frequent roles in television, and after gaining fame as a detective in Spenser for Hire in 1985 and appearing in such films as Ice Pirates (1984) and Turk 182! (1985), Urich was the recipient of a Cable Ace Award for his seven-year stint as host of National Geographic Explorer. Frequently returning to his Spencer persona for made-for-television movies following the show's cancellation, the busy star would also continue to shine in such popular television efforts as Lonesome Dove (1989) and as host to such special event programs as A Musical Christmas at Walt Disney World (1993) and Alien Encounters From New Tomorrowland (1995). It was during the filming of the small-screen Western series The Lazarus Man (1996) that tragedy struck, and Urich's discovery of a mysterious lump proved the beginning of the end for the handsome and rugged actor who to this point had seemed indestructible. Having received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame the year before, Urich's career seemed to be going stronger than ever; unfortunately his body was entering the early stages Synovial Cell Sarcoma. During an intensive eight-month cycle of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, Urich spoke open and honestly about his cancer, and the production of The Lazarus Man was shut down. Urich would later charge that show's producers with a breach-of-contract suit in which he claimed that he was able to perform under the specifications of the contract that both parties had signed, and following a settlement the resilient actor returned to television in 1997 in the ABC medical anthology Vital Signs. Teaming with his wife, Heather Menzies, to establish the Robert and Heather Urich Fund for Sarcoma research at the University of Michigan, the actor continued to appear upbeat in public appearances, during which he spoke of his treatment and condition in efforts to instill hope in others going through similar hardships. Seemingly as busy as ever as his cancer went into remission in the following years, Urich came back strong with numerous roles including The Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998) and Emril (2001). It was also during this time that Urich would also become the spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. In early 2002 the cancer that Urich had struggled so bravely to overcome sadly returned with a vengeance. Unfortunately there was little that could be done to combat the brutally aggressive cancer this time around, and in April of that year, Urich succumbed to its ravaging effects. Passing on the eve of his final television appearance in Night of the Wolf, Urich continued to serve as an inspirational figure even after his painful demise, his bravery giving strength to millions who had bore witness to his struggle. Although the enduring actor, who had admitted to frequent feelings of invincibility, would return to the small screen no more, the fund he created ensured that future generations would not face their dark endeavors without the benefit of extensive medical research and care.

Trivia: Heather Menzies made her film debut at 15, as Louisa von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1965). Menzies followed this assignment with several well-scrubbed ingenue roles; she was prominently featured in one of the deathless anti-drug Dragnet episodes of the late 1960s. She underwent a startling image change in the 1970s, playing sexy roles with a minimum of clothing. In the 1977 TV-series version of Logan's Run, she was cast as Jessica 6, accruing a great deal of press attention for her extremely revealing costumes. She apparently retired after 1982's Endangered Species. Heather Menzies was married to actor Robert Urich.

Trivia: Brooklyn native Connie Stevens is the daughter of musician Teddy Stevens. She moved with her dad to L.A., where she enrolled at Sacred Professional School, sang professional, and appeared in local repertory productions. After several low-budget teen flicks, Stevens was given a break in an A-picture, Jerry Lewis' Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958). Soon afterward, she was signed by Warner Bros. to play bouncy nightclub thrush Cricket Blake on the TV detective series Hawaiian Eye. She also starred in such WB feature films as Susan Slade (1961), and became a popular recording artist with her rendition of the deathless "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb." Warners suspended Stevens in 1962 over several bones of contention, one of which was her snit-fit after being denied a chance to audition for the lead in the studio's My Fair Lady. She patched up her differences with Warners long enough to play a Gracie Allen clone in the George Burns-produced sitcom Wendy and Me (1964). After her flurry of fame in the 1960s, Stevens kept busy with nightclub appearances and summer theater productions. She appeared in the Broadway production of The Star Spangled Girl, guested in such all-star movie efforts as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) and Grease 2, and accepted a regular role on the 1986 TV series Rowdies. Among Connie Stevens' three husbands were actors James Stacy and Eddie Fisher.

Trivia: Coleman attended a Virginia military school before studying law and serving in the army. While attending the University of Texas, Coleman became attracted to acting, and headed to New York, where he studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse. After stage experience and TV work, Coleman made his movie debut in 1965's The Slender Thread. Minus his trademarked mustache for the most part in the mid-1960s, Coleman specialized in secondary character roles. He began to branch into comedy during his supporting stint as obstetrician Leon Bessemer on the Marlo Thomas sitcom That Girl, but his most memorable role would come in 1980 as the nasty, chauvinistic boss in 9 to 5. He would go on to appear in other films, like On Golden Pond [1981], The Beverly Hillbillies [1993], You've Got Mail [1998], and Moonlight Mile, but the actor found more success in television, appearing on a few cult hits that were tragically cancelled, like Drexell's Class and Madman of the People, as well as The Guardian, Courting Alex, Heartland, and Boardwalk Empire.

Trivia: American actor Victor Millan played character roles on stage, television, and in feature films during the '50s and in the '70s and '80s. When not acting, associate professor Millan taught theater arts at Santa Monica College.

Trivia: Mother chose to give birth to him in Canada in order to reduce the medical costs for his delivery. Injured himself in a bicycle accident at age 12, and developed a comedy-and-magic act while recuperating. Served in the Air Force and was stationed in North Africa; performed a magic show for the king of Libya during that time. First dated his second wife Sandra while they were in college, but married her 40 years later. Published an autobiography in 2007 titled Reuben on Wry: The Memoirs of Dave Madden.

Trivia: Pennsylvania-born actress Lauren Tewes achieved broadest recognition for her stint as Cruise Director Julie McCoy on the long-running ABC situation comedy The Love Boat. Unfortunately, Tewes (unlike many of her fellow cast members) left the program prior to the final voyage of the Pacific Princess -- reportedly spiraling into a much-publicized bout of severe cocaine addiction from which she eventually fully recovered, but which cost her the role on the series. Tewes nevertheless demonstrated admirable resilience by returning for at least two Love Boat telemovies and remained active in television and film. Subsequent projects included guest appearances on the small-screen series dramas Hunter and Murder, She Wrote, and roles in features such as The Doom Generation (1995) and It Came From Outer Space 2 (1996).

Trivia: Graduating cum laude from the University of Tulsa, Rue McClanahan studied acting with Uta Hagen and at the Perry-Mansfield school. After her professional debut with a Pennsylvania stock company in 1957, McClanahan headed to New York, where between acting gigs she worked as a waitress, took shorthand and sold blouses. Grabbing any opportunity available, she made her TV bow on a 1960 episode of the TV series Malibu Run, then appeared in a handful of exploitation films with come-hither titles like Five Minutes to Love (she played "Poochie, the girl from the shack," a credit she has since dropped from her resumé). She managed to find more prestigious work on the New York stage, starring in such well-received productions as MacBird, Jimmy Shine, Sticks and Bones and California Suite. She also played regular roles on the TV soap operas Another World and Where the Heart Is. A 1972 guest shot on Norman Lear's controversial series All in the Family led to her being cast as Vivian Harmon on Lear's popular sitcom Maude, a role she played until the series' cancellation in 1978. McClanahan's next project was her own starring series, 1978's Apple Pie, which unfortunately bit the dust after three shows. She went on to play the vitriolic Aunt Fran on the network version of Mama's Family (1983-85), then was co-starred with her Maude colleague Bea Arthur in The Golden Girls (1985-92). Her well-rounded portrayal of overly amorous museum worker Blanche Devereaux won her an 1986 Emmy award; she reprised the character in the Golden Girls spin-off Golden Palace (1992-93). The star of several made-for-TV movies, McClanahan co-produced and appeared in a brace of "dramedies," Mother of the Bride (1991) and Baby of the Bride (1992).