Randolph Mantooth Dies: ‘Emergency!’ & ‘Loving’ Star Was 80

Randolph Mantooth, best known for his iconic portrayal of paramedic John Gage on Emergency!, died on July 9. He was 80.

Born on September 19, 1945, in Sacramento, California, Mantooth was the oldest of four children. His father was Cherokee and Seminole, while his mother was of German and English descent. The family moved frequently because of his father’s construction engineering work. He discovered his passion for acting through student productions while attending San Marcos High School. After studying at Santa Barbara City College, he earned a scholarship to New York City’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he received the prestigious Charles Jehliger Award, one of the Academy’s highest acting honors.