Actor Magnum, PI was 83 years old – The Hollywood Reporter

Roger E. Mosley, who portrayed Theodore “TC” Calvin, helicopter pilot and friend Tom SelleckCharacter in all eight seasons of the original Magnum, B, died Sunday. He was 83 years old.

Mosley died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from injuries sustained in a car accident in nearby Lynwood three days ago, his daughter Ch-a said. The Hollywood Reporter.

On the big screen, Moseley was in his most iconic form as blues and folk singer Huddie Ledbetter (“The Midnight Special”) in the period piece lead belly (1976) directed by Gordon Parks. In his review, Roger Ebert Wrote Mosley played the role “with great force” and called the film “one of the best biographies of a musician I’ve ever seen.”

Moseley was also prominent in the films of rough exploitation, playing the angry brother of Goldie recently released from prison (Max Julian) in the classic Mac (1973) starring Assassin (1972), Sweet Jesus, preacher (1973) and Darktown Straters (1975).

and in greatest (1977), Mosley – strong 6ft 2 and 215lbs in his prime – photos by Sonny Liston and being attacked by Mohamed Ali.

The beloved actor appeared in 158 out of 162 episodes of CBS. Magnum, Bcreated by Donald Bellisario and Glen Larson. TC has been friends with Thomas Magnum of Selleck since his days in Vietnam; His character owned a helicopter company on Oahu called Island Hoppers, which was instrumental in the series that ran from December 1980 through May 1988.

According to Mosley, Gerald McCranie was ready to play TC before the producers realized they needed someone of color in the main cast. Selleck think of Mosley from the prison movie they did together, 1973 Station IslandHe suggested the part.

The Los Angeles-born was busy making films at the time and didn’t want a job on a TV show, but his agent asked him to at least do a magnum pilot.

like mosley I remembered His agent told him, “It’s starring this guy Tom Selleck. Tom Selleck did about five demos…and none of them sold out. So here’s what you do, Roger: sign up for the show, go to Hawaii, and they’ll treat you well for the 20 days that It will take the photo [pilot]You’ll get a lot of money, then go home. A show with Tom Selleck always fails, and you’ll be fine.

“Well, after 8 and a half years…”

Mosley was in real life a licensed private helicopter pilot (something the producers found out after he was hired, he said) but was not allowed to fly the series.

Initially, the writers had TC as the owner of a struggling helicopter company, but Mosley refused to “be the only black person in Hawaii and be broke,” he said. “And they reversed. They decided Tom was going to be bankrupt, and that I would be financially favourable—except I always saved him.”

Mosley also made his character a graduate of Grambling State University, a lover of books and poetry and a man who did not party.

“that they [the Magnum writers] He keeps writing me to smoke and drink, but I won’t,” he said in a 1982 interview in Ebony. “I never orgasm or smoke or drink on the show or in real life. This is not what I want black kids to see.”

Roger Earl Moseley was born on December 18, 1938, and was raised by his mother, Eloise, on the Watts Imperial Courts Project. He was a high school wrestler and neighborhood swimming coach.

As stated in 1976 People a storyMosley was studying acting under Raymond Saint-Jacques at Mafundi Institute, a community arts school in Watts, when a director from Universal came to lecture students about self-immolation and said, “I know actors who have had to eat ketchup sandwiches.”

Mosley got up and shouted, “You have the nerve to tell us to eat ketchup for our art. I know people who eat ketchup to survive. We need someone to give us a break.”

Director invited Mosley to visit the studio next week.

Moseley made one of his first on-screen appearances in 1971 on an episode of CBS. gunthen small roles in new hundreds (1972) and Hickey and Boggs (1972).

later work with John Wayne in MK (1974); with James Earl JonesAnd the Cecily Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr Niger River (1976); And as a football player Bowden Patterson Sr., in semi solid (1977), starring Burt Reynolds.

Mail-magnumHe starred opposite Neil Carter on the CBS sitcom You take the childrenas a rickets coach at ABC Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper Milt Johnson on Showtime rude awakening. As he appeared in the movies heart condition (1990), illegal entry (1992), pentagram (1994) and Thin line between love and hate (1996).

Also among the survivors are his wife Antoinette (“Tony”) – they have been together for nearly 60 years – Brandon’s son; Austin’s grandson and Rahsan are among his many nephews

cha Wrote on Facebook: “We can never grieve for such a wonderful man. He hated any crying in his name. Time to celebrate the legacy he left for all of us. Papa loved you. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but strong. I will take care of my mother, your love for nearly 60 A year. She raised me well and is in good hands. Rest in peace.”