How Each Emergency! Cast Member Died

NBC's Emergency! was one of the best series to hit the airwaves in the early 1970s. With its captivating attention to realism, it was a truly groundbreaking television series. A spin-off of Adam-12 and Dragnet, the Jack Webb co-produced series ushered in a genre of 'municipal services TV' series that NBC would continue to rely on for decades to come with its popular Law & Order and Chicago Fire offerings. For many, Emergency! bordered on being an educational program. In fact, it's even credited with saving a few lives, but that's a story for another time.

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:29 - Julie London
01:51 - Bobby Troup
02:59 - Dick Hammer
03:54 - John Smith
05:17 - Art Ballinger
05:54 - Vince House
07:11 - Outro

The stellar cast was one of the show's biggest draws. The station 51 duo of Roy Desoto played by Kevin Tighe and John Gage portrayed by Randolph Mantooth as well as the additions of characters like Dr. Kelly Brackett played by Robert Fuller and nurse Dixie McCall played by Julie London became heroes and heartthrobs for viewers.

Emergency ran for six seasons consisting of 122 episodes. It debuted on NBC as a mid-season replacement on January 15, 1972, replacing the two short-lived sitcom series The Partners and The Good Life. The series wrapped up on May 28, 1977 – although six additional two-hour television films were produced between 1978 and 1979.

Emergency! continues to have a dedicated and thoroughly passionate fan base, but sadly very few of the original cast members are still alive to witness the show's enduring popularity. Watch this facts-packed video to find out how all of the deceased Emergency! cast members met their end.

How Each Emergency! Cast Member Died

[RetiredSailor]

Julie London was my favorite..She was sassy, beautiful, and had a heart of gold for others.

[sblakeification]

Besides Robert Fuller, Randolph Mantooth, and Kevin Tighe, there are several cast members who are still with us. We recently lost the great Tim Donnelly but Mike Norell, Mike Stoker, Marco Lopez from the main cast are still with us as well as Ron Pinkard, and James McEachin.

[Camman]

This show brought the Paramedic program to so many places so all of us owe our lives to this TV show. I have never scored under 100% on a first aid test and have kept people in car accidents alive, (CPR) until the Paramedics arrived. Some of the actors may have died but we owe them so much more then any other TV show out there.

[douglasdavis]

I got a job as a paramedic in 1976 and worked 20+ years, then left to be a phlebotomist. Now I am nearing retirement as a registered nurse, but my career choice was heavily influenced by my father's sudden death from a heart attack and this TV show. "The boys" made me realize that prompt, professional care could make a difference in someone's life; they were right!

[bubbachuck]

Watched the emergency television show as a kid and 40 years later I’m still watching it here in New York on the cozi channel 109…Brings all the memories back.

[drewrosecrans]

Remember as a kid I saw this awesome show with my grandmother back in the early 70's! When TV ruled vs today

[landmermaid]

Randolph Mantooth of course.. This show inspired most of my family to get into fire fighting and forestry..My brother got a kick
out of how many times they used "Ringers lactate"..when doing rescues 🤗☺️🤓🚑

[danlewis]

My favorite character? My Dad, he was an LA county firefighter. At the time Emergancy was being filmed my Pops was working at dispatch and he was shown a few times when they showed dispatch sending the calls out. He is the handsome strawberry blonde with the 70’s stash. He retired from the fire department as captain. He is 75 now and he and mom are doing awesome. I flew out of camp 9 fighting brush fires and my brother is still a LACoFD BC. Loved the show.

[hoyden]

I became an EMT in ‘79 thanks to this show.

[dahigs]

Watched this as a kid in the 70's and it inspired me to do the same...recently retired as a firefighter paramedic for LA County Fire after 35 years of the greatest career. Thanks guys for the inspiration!

[leighchambers]

Was surprised to see that the video was posted Oct. 5, 2021 and there was no mention of Tim Donnelly. Tim Donnelly who played FF Chet Kelly died suddenly on Sept. 17, 2021. RIP Tim.

[marypittman]

I loved Randolph Mantooth as Johnny Gage. He still makes my heart flutter on reruns

[Drifter.]

I always loved this as a little kid, recently did a video on it. My video got pulled a few times until NBC authorized it to be used as historical content. I have it in unlisted ATMO. Beside these great actors, the Engine trucks are both fully restored in the Fire Museum in LA . They both run and function. Squad 51 was recovered from a Colorado Fire Department retired and worn out. It also was fully restored runs and drives also parked in the Fire museum. Squad 51 had a clone that is still missing or dead. On TV the Old Engine 51 was rebadged and used for an assisting engine from 127 I believe And the newer one was then badged 51. Fire station 51 on TV was actually station 127 in real life. But there is now a live station 51 at universal studios/NBC that protects the studio and is ready for full use. Rampart Hospital was actually Harbor General UCLA, W. Carson in Torrance. Gage's and DeSoto's fire hats are in the Smithsonian. So much more to know!

[tnelson]

Great show . Growing up in the 70s I tried to catch every episode. After high school I went to the fire academy and became a Firefighter/Emt . I worked in the Southwest Michigan Area. Benton Harbor, St Joseph, Niles and Dowagiac area . Small cities north of South Bend/ Notre Dame Indiana. From 1986-2016 I worked in Emergency services and I credit the show for sparking my interest. Thanks

[charityhoward]

I have always loved emergency. Even my children like the reruns. My favorite is Mantooth

[teresahicks]

John Gage was my favorite character from emergency, I love this show.

[carolynpillsbury]

Robert Fuller is and always will be My favorite on Emergency and Laramie. I had the honor of meeting him in 2019 at The MidSouth Nostalgia Festival. He's so Handsome and Adorable!!!

[rickmarone]

I loved Emergency growing up I still watch it on Cozi Tv today. I learn so much tv information watching your channel. Want say you missed one the guy who played Marco recently passed away. My favorite character from Emergency was Roy DeSoto and I also had an Emergency firetruck when I was a kid TTYL Gator thanks again

[thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.]

Loved this show as I did Dragnet and
Marcus Welby MD ...
Loved the early medical shows of the 60’s and 70’s!!!
Had a Big Crush on Mantooth!

[USCTROJANFAN]

You forgot Tim Donnelly who portrayed Chester B Chet Kelley who recently died