Whatever Happened to the Cast of ‘Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer’?
What To Know
- Several main cast members of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, including Stacy Keach, Lindsay Bloom, Don Stroud, and Kent Williams, are still alive and have pursued varied careers since the show’s original run ended in 1987.
- The series retains nostalgic appeal, with some cast members remaining in the public eye through acting, conventions, or other creative pursuits, while others have passed away in recent years.
- Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer is currently available to stream for free with ads on Plex in celebration of its 42nd anniversary.
Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer premiered on CBS on January 28, 1984, bringing the legendary 1940s private detective back to television, with Stacy Keach in the title role. Over three seasons and multiple TV movies, the show — which has also been known as The New Mike Hammer — developed a loyal following before wrapping up its original run in 1987.
More than four decades later, the series still holds nostalgic appeal for fans of crime dramas. Here’s a look at which main cast members are still alive today, along with a remembrance of those who are no longer with us. Plus, find out where you can rewatch it for its 42nd anniversary.
Stacy Keach (84)
Mike Hammer
Everett Collection; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Keach’s performance became one of the most recognizable screen versions of the character, and he later returned to Hammer in additional TV movies and the syndicated series Mike Hammer, Private Eye in the late ’90s. The original series was briefly interrupted in 1984 during Keach’s highly publicized legal troubles in the United Kingdom for the importation of cocaine.
After Mike Hammer, Keach maintained a remarkably steady career across film, television, and voice work. His credits include American History X, Prison Break and Nebraska. He also became widely known as a narrator for documentary and true-crime programming.
Lindsay Bloom (75)
Velda
Bernard Boudreau/TV Guide/Columbia Pictures Television/Everett Collection
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Before joining the show, Bloom had built a solid television résumé with appearances on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Dallas, as well as an ongoing role as switchboard operator Maybelle on The Dukes of Hazzard. After Mike Hammer ended, Bloom continued acting into the early ’90s, including a role in the 1991 film Cover Me. She later stepped away from the entertainment industry and has largely remained out of the public spotlight. However, she does make some fan convention appearances, and you can catch up with her in our exclusive interview below.
Don Stroud (82)
Captain Pat Chambers
Mario Casilli/TV Guide/Everett Collection
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Before joining the show, Stroud had already established himself as a rugged screen presence in films such as Coogan’s Bluff and The Amityville Horror, as well as in television series such as Hawaii Five-O.
Following Mike Hammer, Stroud continued appearing in film and television through the ’80s and ’90s. In later years, he gradually reduced his acting work and shifted his focus toward personal pursuits, including art and writing.
Kent Williams
Assistant District Attorney Lawrence D. Barrington
Mario Casilli/TV Guide/Everett Collection
Williams’ career spans film, television, radio, and stage work, with credits including WarGames, The In-Laws, Time After Time, Honky Tonk Freeway, and numerous television guest appearances on shows such as L.A. Law, MacGyver, Murder, She Wrote and Law & Order.
Williams also appeared in multiple Mike Hammer TV movies and remained active into the 2000s, with later credits including the film Mind Morgue and the 2021 miniseries A Little Dream.
In Memoriam
Danny Goldman (Ozzie “The Answer”) died on April 12, 2020, at age 80.
Ben Powers (Moochie) died of liver cancer on April 6, 2015, at age 64.
Eddie Egan (Detective Hennessey) died of colon cancer on November 4, 1995, at age 65.
Eddie Barth (Ritchie) died of heart failure on May 28, 2010, at age 78.
Where to Watch Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer
You can watch the series for free with ads on Plex.
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