Anecdotes

Was a close friend (30 years) of actor Ted Knight long before they appeared together on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970).

Even after he quit his role on Sur le pont la marine (1962), MacLeod remained close friends with Ernest Borgnine for over 45 years, until Borgnine's death in 2012.

Was the only La croisière s'amuse (1977) actor not to have guest-starred on L'île fantastique (1977).

His autobiography, 'Back on Course, the Remarkable Story of a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage', detailed his problems with alcohol and subsequent recovery and remarriage to second wife, Patti MacLeod.

His La croisière s'amuse (1977) captain exposure led to a long-running gig promoting the Princess Cruises.

Was one of the three actors to have appeared in every episode of La croisière s'amuse (1977).

He was paid $20,000-plus for each episode of La croisière s'amuse (1977) .

Had met Mary Tyler Moore on an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961), years before he worked with her on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970), as her newswriter.

Served in the Air Force, where he wrote, produced and directed the plays.

Met Marion Ross on the stage play of 'Operation Petticoat,' years later, she would work with him on La croisière s'amuse (1977), in the recurring role of MacLeod's wife.

Was initially slated to audition for the role of Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) but decided to read for the part of Murray instead.

Former child actor Robert Blake once said MacLeod was his favorite actor to date.

Met Bernie Kopell on the set of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970), before he co-starred with MacLeod on La croisière s'amuse (1977).

Despite being one of the biggest names in television history, he has yet to get a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, though La croisière s'amuse (1977) has received it.

Before becoming a successful actor, he did everything from janitor to lawn mowing.

Had attended the funeral of Robert Urich in 2002. MacLeod reprised his role alongside Urich on La croisière s'amuse, nouvelle vague (1998).

His favorite La croisière s'amuse (1977) episodes are: The Love Boat Follies, with Van Johnson, Carol Channing and Cab Calloway, the one where Jill Whelan's character came aboard and the ones where he was working with Marion Ross.

His idols when he was very young were Lana Turner and Ginger Rogers.

Met Joyce Bulifant on the set of Sur le pont la marine (1962). They would later play husband and wife on the 1970s sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970).

Had celebrated his 80th birthday, aboard The Golden Princess on Princess Cruises in Los Angeles, California on February 28, 2011. The entire La croisière s'amuse (1977) cast, along with his friends and family, wished him a happy birthday, and presented him with a 5-foot-long, 3D replica in cake of the original "Love Boat," representing The Pacific Princess.

MacLeod was the last surviving member of the cast of Sur le pont la marine (1962).

Was Aaron Spelling's first choice to audition for the lead role as Capt. Merrill Stubing on La croisière s'amuse (1977), who accepted the role after the cancellation of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970).

Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades, California.

He has played the same character (Captain Merrill Stubing) in three different series: La croisière s'amuse (1977), Drôles de dames (1976) and La croisière s'amuse, nouvelle vague (1998).

Got the lead role on La croisière s'amuse (1977) with the encouragement of Aaron Spelling.

Met first wife Joan at Radio City Music Hall when he was an usher and she was a Rockette. They had four children (Keith, Julie, David and Meghan) before they divorced after 18 years of marriage.

Attended Betty White's 90th birthday party in 2012.

Had lost his father to cancer when he was age 14.

Held an Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater Ithaca College.

Had quit his role on Sur le pont la marine (1962), due to his battle with alcoholism in 1964. It was suggested by his family and best friend Robert Blake that he to go to an alcohol clinic, where he was getting help. Right around the same time, he also left to do La canonnière du Yang-Tsé (1966).

Graduate of Ithaca College in upstate New York.

MacLeod was said to be an idol of future actor Ted Lange, who would watch every episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) before he co-starred with him on La croisière s'amuse (1977).

His father, George See, dropped out of grade school in the fifth grade, looking for work as a gas station attendant. His mother Margaret See, also dropped out of middle school in the seventh grade. She went on to work for Reader's Digest.

While he was playing football at Pleasantville High School, he received word from his family, about his father, who had died in 1945, from cancer. After his father's death, his quit the football team, and went back to acting.

Started acting when he was in Kindergarten.

Used to be a spokesperson for Princess Cruises in the 1980s.

Gavin MacLeod died on May 29, 2021, just 3 months after he celebrated his 90th birthday. On that day, Princess Cruises presented with a special video tribute from 'Love Boat' cast members, celebrity friends and Princess Cruises colleagues.

MacLeod credited his long life to exercising in the gym, eating fewer carbs, and living a healthy lifestyle.

After his role on The Comeback Kids (2014) he officially retired from acting at age 83, yet he had filmed Jimmy's Cafe prior to his retirement.

Enjoyed public speaking, traveling, playing tennis, watching movies, golfing, sailing, reading the Bible, praying, cruising, reading and dancing.

After his long-running role on La croisière s'amuse (1977), MacLeod and his wife (Patti) had hosted another long-running program for couples with marital problems, Back on Course, for 17 years, on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Began his show La croisière s'amuse (1977) at age 46.

Remained good friends with Ted Lange during and after La croisière s'amuse (1977).

His mother, Margaret See, died on January 4, 2004, aged 97.

Attended the 90th birthday party of longtime friend Carol Channing, on February 21, 2011.

MacLeod, in character as Capt. Merrill Stubing, was at the helm one last time when he and his fellow La croisière s'amuse (1977) cast members cruised down Colorado Boulevard on the bow of a floral Princess ship float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. [1 January 2015].

When MacLeod was just a little boy, he used to go to the movie theaters, where he paid 7 cents, being fascinated by character actors, which led to him playing character parts in various shows.

Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide 4 times.

Took his stage name from his college drama coach Beatrice Macleod, and from an affecting TV drama in which a cerebral palsy victim was named "Gavin".

January 19, 2004: featured on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) in their segment "Is It Potatoes or Gavin MacLeod?". It was, in fact, Gavin MacLeod.