Randolph Mantooth, known for playing paramedic Johnny Gage on the “Emergency!” TV series in the 1970s, died July 9 in Ventura. He was 80.
Mantooth broke out in 1972 when he was cast in “Emergency!,” which introduced the profession of paramedics to the public. He co-starred with Kevin Tighe in the popular NBC series which ran for six seasons, and performed most of his own stunts.
His brother said he died in a hospice facility after a long illness, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
He played his “Emergency!” character Johnny Gage on other shows such as “Adam-12,” and remained an advocate for firefighters, paramedics and EMTs throughout his life.
After guest starring on shows including “Dallas,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Love Boat,” Mantooth had a notable second act appearing in soap operas. He joined “Loving” in 1987 as Clay Alden, then spent two years on “General Hospital” as Richard Halifax. He then returned to “Loving” for two more years. Among the other soaps he appeared on were “The City,” “As the World Turns” and “One Life to Live,” as well as other shows such as “Criminal Minds,” “Ghost Whisperer” and “Sons of Anarchy.”
Mantooth was born in Sacramento; his father was of Cherokee and Seminole descent. He studied at Santa Barbara City College and earned a scholarship to New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
After he was discovered onstage in New York and signed to a Universal contract, he began appearing on TV shows including “Ironside,” “The Virginian,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.” and “The Bold Ones.”
He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015.
Mantooth is survived by his wife Kristen and his siblings Donald and Tonya.