Randolph Mantooth, who played medic in NBC's 'Emergency!', dies at 80

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

July 11, 2026, 12:07 AM EDT


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.

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.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/randolph-mantooth-played-medic-nbcs-emergency-dies-80-rcna404688

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I was a huge fan of him and the show "Emergency!". He guest starred on a lot '70s shows including the original Battlestar Galactica with his "twin" Richard Hatch.



R.I.P. and thanks for some great entertainment.

[Bengus81]

1. I liked him on that show,weirdly different.

[doc03]

2. That was a very good series, I believe I have seen every episode several times.

Chet on the show was always pulling practical jokes on Johnny Gage.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. They used to update the season opening /closing credts

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. Ahh yes... 'Emergency!' night at my house.

My mother loved the show, according to her viewing habits. She watched it every week. She was going to school to be a nurse at this point. She would sit and yell at the television over all the things that they did wrong during their rescue calls.

I used to hate that show as a child because of all the yelling at the screen. It was also being in that situation which showed me just how dangerous that screen could be, as my mother was not one to yell at clouds, yet here she was talking to a television screen about something that was filmed several months ago and was meant to be entertaining anyway, not an accurate portrayal of healthcare in the US.

The fact that it was able to engender that reaction taught me plenty about both the entertainment industry and our society in general. So, I owe that show a lot. It was a great show and I wish it had not been ruined by a nursing student constantly correcting the screen.

(Of course, so many things that she was complaining about were procedures that have changed, some more than once. So, her ranting was pointless, as they don't even do those things anymore.)