LOS ANGELES — Actor Randolph Mantooth, best known for his role as firefighter and medic John Gage in NBC’s “Emergency!” television series in the 1970s, has died at age 80 after a long illness, his family said Friday.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Mantooth’s role and the show, which ran for five years, changed the way that first responders were seen on TV, his family said.“The series helped introduce the public to paramedics and emergency medicine, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in EMS and firefighting,” the family said in a statement.“Its influence extended far beyond entertainment, contributing to greater recognition of emergency medical services throughout the country.”“Emergency!” featured a crew from Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51.
It ran from January 1972 until May 1977.There were also made-for-television movies that aired until 1979.Randolph Mantooth as paramedic John Gage in "Emergency!", circa 1973.NBC via Getty Images fileA spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department said Friday that Mantooth will be remembered as a part of the legacy of the department and firefighters everywhere.“Randolph Mantooth was the face of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for an entire generation.
Talk to any fire buff of a certain age, and Johnny Gage riding Squad 51 is the stuff of legend,” Los Angeles County Fire Capt.Aaron Katon said.Mantooth posing with his vehicle from "Emergency!" in Los Angeles in 2017.Albert L.
Ortega / Getty Images fileMantooth was born in Sacramento, California, on Sept.19, 1945.
He earned a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, his family said.He appeared in the 2003 off-Broadway show “Rain Dance,” a play by Lanford Wilson, which also featured actor James Van Der Beek.Mantooth was of Seminole descent, according to IMDB.
He played a military police officer and former Native Ame...