Ed Asner and Nancy Sinatra are among those who have paid tribute to Love Boat and Mary Tyler Moore Show star Gavin MacLeod, who had died aged 90 after a long acting career
The sitcom actor was best known for playing Captain Stubing on The Love Boat and seaman 'Happy' Haines on McHale's Navy.
My heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food) and my comic conspirator. I will see you in a bit Gavin. Tell the gang I will see them in a bit. Betty! It's just you and me now. pic.twitter.com/se4fwh7G1G
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) May 29, 2021
He also starred as news writer Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in all of the show's 168 episodes on CBS, from 1970 to 1977.
MacLeod's nephew, Mark See, confirmed his death to Variety.
However, the actor turned down the role of Archie Bunker on All in the Family. As he recalled in his memoir, "Immediately I thought, 'This is not the script for me. The character is too much of a bigot. I can't say these things.'"
Ed Asner, one of two surviving members of The Mary Tyler Moore Show cast, tweeted that his "heart is broken."
"Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food) and my comic conspirator. I will see you in a bit Gavin. Tell the gang I will see them in a bit. Betty! It’s just you and me now."
Gavin MacLeod will always be a member of our family and the best neighbor anyone could ever have. Our hearts are aching, we will miss him terribly and love him forever. Godspeed, dear friend.💔💙 pic.twitter.com/jN7wE4M7Be
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) May 29, 2021
Nancy Sinatra tweeted: "Gavin MacLeod will always be a member of our family and the best neighbor anyone could ever have. Our hearts are aching, we will miss him terribly and love him forever. Godspeed, dear friend."
Following his success on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Macleod found fame again with a high-profile role on the far cheesier sitcom The Love Boat in 1977 and would go on to star on the show, which was set on a cruise ship, for 10 years.
MacLeod married twice, first to Joan F Rootvik from 1955 to 1972. They had four children. He married Patti Kendig in 1974 before divorcing in 1982. They rekindled their romance and remarried in 1985.
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