Gavin MacLeod, known as Captain Stubing on Love Boat, has died. He was 90.
The actor died on Saturday, May 29, in Rancho Mirage, California, a rep for Princess Cruises confirmed the news. No cause of death has been shared at this time. ET has reached out to MacLeod’s rep for comment.
“It is with sadness felt to the depth of the oceans that we mourn the passing of actor Gavin MacLeod our beloved global ambassador, dearest friend and treasured member of the Princess Cruises family for more than 35 years,” the Princess Cruises rep said in a statement. “From his 10 seasons starring as Captain Merrill Stubing on the hit TV show The Love Boat (1977 to 1986) and for more than three decades following the show’s final season, Gavin enthusiastically shared his passion about the joys and adventures of exploring the world while cruising. He always reminded us that – like the popular TV series, ‘cruising gives people something to dream about.'”
With a career spanning six decades, the New York native began his acting career in 1957. He starred on McHale’s Navy (1962–1964) as Joseph “Happy” Haines, and on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977) as Murray Slaughter. MacLeod appeared on all 168 episodes of the series and received two Golden Globe nominations for his role. He was also the lead on The Love Boat, portraying the ship’s captain for the entire 10-season run.
MacLeod also appeared in films like The Sword of Ali Baba, A Man Called Gannon, The Thousand Plane Raid and Kelly’s Heroes. In 2013, he released an autobiography, titled This is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life. Additionally, MacLeod was part of George Eastman’s Happy Hour production at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theater in Rancho Mirage, California, in 2015.
Upon hearing the news of his death, friends and fans took to social media to express their condolences.
Ed Asner, who worked with MacLeod on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, wrote, “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.”
