Randolph Mantooth
Encyclopedia
Randolph Donald Mantooth (born September 19, 1945) is an American
character actor
of stage, film
and television
. Mantooth is best known for his work in the 1970s medical drama
, Emergency!
, as Johnny Gage, a Los Angeles County Fire Department
paramedic
. He is also known for his work on the E! Network's program Talk Soup
alongside host John Henson
, and for appearing in various soap opera
s starting in the 1980s.
, California
, to Sadie and Donald Mantooth. He is half Seminole. Because of his father's job in the construction industry, Mantooth's family lived in 24 states, finally settling in Santa Barbara, California
, where he grew up. Even as a child, Mantooth was fascinated with acting. He attended San Marcos High School, where he further cultivated his passion in drama, which led him to become an actor. He graduated from high school in 1963 and then the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in New York
, with a major in drama and dance. One of his earlier jobs was as a page at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City
. During his childhood, Mantooth sold newspapers for his local paper, the Coatesville Record, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania
.
Mantooth was prepared for the lead role in the play Philadelphia Here I Come, after performing in the popular production of How to Laugh on Stage. His performance as Gar earned him the Charles Jehlenger Award, an honor he shared with fellow actor Brad Davis
. Then, in 1970, he received a contract with Universal Studios
, left New York
and moved back to California
, where he guest-starred in a variety of shows.
Producer Robert A. Cinader
saw him in a small role on The Bold Ones that led to his decision to cast him as hotshot paramedic Johnny Gage on the long-running TV series, Emergency!
, which shot him to stardom in 1972 to 1979, and stayed on for the entire run, which starred opposite Robert Fuller
, Julie London
and Kevin Tighe
, who would become best friends for life. Mantooth, who said in one of his interviews that growing up, he and his family were fans of Julie's music, despite his father not meeting her. On the set, he and co-star Tighe both developed a close relationship with London and Bobby Troup
, while off the Emergency! set, both he and Tighe spent more time with Julie's and Bobby's family, during weekends. After the show's run, he did not keep in touch with the Troup family; on October 18, 2000 his longtime friend and series' star London died, the year after her husband and co-star Troup had died.
After Emergency!, he appeared in the mini series "The Seekers" in 1979, based on the John Jakes novel. . Afterwards, he found it difficult to sustain any long-term acting roles until he appeared as Clay Alden (later Alex Masters) on the soap opera Loving
, which he played from 1987 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1995. Mantooth reprised his role as Alex Masters on The City from 1995 to 1997.
In 2003, Mantooth joined the cast of As the World Turns
as a temporary replacement for Benjamin Hendrickson
in the role of Hal Munson
. When Hendrickson left the show in 2004, Mantooth was again cast as Munson, also in a recurring position; Hendrickson returned to the program in 2005. In 2007, Mantooth landed the recurring role of Kirk Harmon on One Life to Live
, but the character was killed off after two months.
Mantooth also guest-starred in Battlestar Galactica Classic
episode "Greetings from Earth" as Michael and JAG
(1997) as Col. Ron Barret.
Mantooth serves as honorary chairman and spokesperson for the non-profit County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association, and recently received an award for his efforts from the International Association of Fire Chiefs
' EMS section. He has been married to Kristen Connors since 2002. He and his Emergency co-star Kevin Tighe have remained close friends since the series.
Mantooth has a brother Donald (born 20 June 1952) and two sisters Nancy (born ?) and Tonya (born 12 Jun 1959). In August 2002, Mantooth married Kristen Marie Connors at the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens.
Mantooth has made frequent appearances at EMS symposiums across the United States, most recently at a symposium held at the Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury, New York
, on January 30, 2010.
In 2011, the actor appeared in two episodes of Sons of Anarchy
on the FX channel.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
character actor
Character actor
A character actor is one who predominantly plays unusual or eccentric characters. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a character actor as "an actor who specializes in character parts", defining character part in turn as "an acting role displaying pronounced or unusual characteristics or...
of stage, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. Mantooth is best known for his work in the 1970s medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
, Emergency!
Emergency!
Emergency! is an American television series that combines the medical drama and action-adventure genres. It was produced by Mark VII Limited and distributed by Universal Studios...
, as Johnny Gage, a Los Angeles County Fire Department
Los Angeles County Fire Department
The Los Angeles County Fire Department , serves unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, as well as 58 cities and towns that choose to have the county provide fire and EMS services, including La Habra. It should not be confused with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, which serves the city of...
paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
. He is also known for his work on the E! Network's program Talk Soup
Talk Soup
Talk Soup was a television show produced for cable network E! that debuted on January 7, 1991, and aired until August 2002. Talk Soup aired selected clips of the previous day's daily talk shows—ranging from daytime entries like The Jerry Springer Show and to celebrity interview shows like The...
alongside host John Henson
John Henson
John Morris Henson is an American comedian, talk show host, and actor. He is the co-host of ABC's Wipeout, a prime-time series game show now in its fourth season.-Biography:...
, and for appearing in various soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
s starting in the 1980s.
History
Mantooth, the oldest of four children, was born in SacramentoSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, to Sadie and Donald Mantooth. He is half Seminole. Because of his father's job in the construction industry, Mantooth's family lived in 24 states, finally settling in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
, where he grew up. Even as a child, Mantooth was fascinated with acting. He attended San Marcos High School, where he further cultivated his passion in drama, which led him to become an actor. He graduated from high school in 1963 and then the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, with a major in drama and dance. One of his earlier jobs was as a page at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During his childhood, Mantooth sold newspapers for his local paper, the Coatesville Record, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville is the only city in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,100 at the 2010 census. Coatesville is approximately 39 miles west of Philadelphia....
.
Mantooth was prepared for the lead role in the play Philadelphia Here I Come, after performing in the popular production of How to Laugh on Stage. His performance as Gar earned him the Charles Jehlenger Award, an honor he shared with fellow actor Brad Davis
Brad Davis (actor)
Robert Creel "Brad" Davis was an American actor, known for starring in the 1978 film Midnight Express.-Early life:...
. Then, in 1970, he received a contract with Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, left New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and moved back to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he guest-starred in a variety of shows.
Producer Robert A. Cinader
Robert A. Cinader
Robert A. Cinader was an American television producer best known for his work on two NBC series packaged by actor/producer Jack Webb's Mark VII Limited, Adam-12 and Emergency!...
saw him in a small role on The Bold Ones that led to his decision to cast him as hotshot paramedic Johnny Gage on the long-running TV series, Emergency!
Emergency!
Emergency! is an American television series that combines the medical drama and action-adventure genres. It was produced by Mark VII Limited and distributed by Universal Studios...
, which shot him to stardom in 1972 to 1979, and stayed on for the entire run, which starred opposite Robert Fuller
Robert Fuller (actor)
Robert Fuller is an American former television Western actor and current rancher. In his five decades of television, he's best known for starring roles on the popular 1960s western series Laramie as Jess Harper, and Wagon Train as Cooper Smith, as well as his work for his lead role, Dr...
, Julie London
Julie London
Julie London was an American singer and actress. She was best known for her smoky, sensual voice. London was at her singing career's peak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than 35 years...
and Kevin Tighe
Kevin Tighe
Kevin Tighe is an American character actor primarily known for his roles on television. Tighe is best known for his role as Roy DeSoto, a senior paramedic, on the NBC series Emergency! . He and Randolph Mantooth, his partner in the series, have remained close friends...
, who would become best friends for life. Mantooth, who said in one of his interviews that growing up, he and his family were fans of Julie's music, despite his father not meeting her. On the set, he and co-star Tighe both developed a close relationship with London and Bobby Troup
Bobby Troup
Robert William "Bobby" Troup Jr. was an American actor, jazz pianist and songwriter. He is best known for writing the popular standard " Route 66", and for his role as Dr...
, while off the Emergency! set, both he and Tighe spent more time with Julie's and Bobby's family, during weekends. After the show's run, he did not keep in touch with the Troup family; on October 18, 2000 his longtime friend and series' star London died, the year after her husband and co-star Troup had died.
After Emergency!, he appeared in the mini series "The Seekers" in 1979, based on the John Jakes novel. . Afterwards, he found it difficult to sustain any long-term acting roles until he appeared as Clay Alden (later Alex Masters) on the soap opera Loving
Loving (TV series)
Caden Grant Carlton loves Mika Ayako Ryan more.Loving is an American television soap opera which aired on ABC's daytime lineup from June 26, 1983 to November 10, 1995 for 3,169 episodes...
, which he played from 1987 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1995. Mantooth reprised his role as Alex Masters on The City from 1995 to 1997.
In 2003, Mantooth joined the cast of As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
as a temporary replacement for Benjamin Hendrickson
Benjamin Hendrickson
Benjamin Hendrickson was an American actor known for playing Harold "Hal" Munson, Jr., the Chief of Detectives for the mythical town of Oakdale on the daytime soap opera, As the World Turns.- Theater and film :...
in the role of Hal Munson
Hal Munson
Harold "Hal" Todd Munson, Jr. is a fictional character that appeared on the American soap opera As the World Turns. He was played by the late Benjamin Hendrickson from 1985 to 2004 and 2005 to July 12, 2006...
. When Hendrickson left the show in 2004, Mantooth was again cast as Munson, also in a recurring position; Hendrickson returned to the program in 2005. In 2007, Mantooth landed the recurring role of Kirk Harmon on One Life to Live
One Life to Live
One Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
, but the character was killed off after two months.
Mantooth also guest-starred in Battlestar Galactica Classic
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
episode "Greetings from Earth" as Michael and JAG
JAG
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
(1997) as Col. Ron Barret.
Mantooth serves as honorary chairman and spokesperson for the non-profit County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association, and recently received an award for his efforts from the International Association of Fire Chiefs
International Association of Fire Chiefs
The International Association of Fire Chiefs is a network of more than 12,000 chief fire and emergency officers. The Association was established in 1873. The Executive Director is Mark W. Light. The Deputy Executive Director is Mary Beth Michos...
' EMS section. He has been married to Kristen Connors since 2002. He and his Emergency co-star Kevin Tighe have remained close friends since the series.
Mantooth has a brother Donald (born 20 June 1952) and two sisters Nancy (born ?) and Tonya (born 12 Jun 1959). In August 2002, Mantooth married Kristen Marie Connors at the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens.
Mantooth has made frequent appearances at EMS symposiums across the United States, most recently at a symposium held at the Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury, New York
Queensbury, New York
Queensbury is a town in and the county seat of Warren County, New York, United States. The town is located in the southeastern part of the county. The population was 25,441 at the 2000 census. The town is named in honor of Queen Charlotte, the consort of George III of Great Britain and Ireland. It...
, on January 30, 2010.
In 2011, the actor appeared in two episodes of Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is an American television drama series created by Kurt Sutter about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in Northern California...
on the FX channel.