Actor Chad Everett Succumbs to Lung Cancer

By Deborah Smith Ford  

Boston Top Examiner, Tracy Parece, reported that long time actor Chad Everett died at home in Los Angeles, California of lung cancer on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.

Background

Everett, (Raymon Lee Cramton), 75, according to Wikipedia, was an actor who appeared in more than 40 films and television series, but he was probably best known for his role as Dr. Joe Gannon in the television drama "Medical Center." That show aired on CBS from 1969 to 1976.

Chad Everett and Meredith Baxter in 1975 Photo: Wiki

First TV Role

Everett's first notable TV role came in an episode of ABC's 1960-1962 detective series "Surfside 6." His first major role came one year later in the film Claudelle Inglish. Soon after, he played a deputy in the 1963 ABC western television series "The Dakotas."

After appearing in a number of movies and television series in the late 1960s, Everett got his big break. He landed the role of Dr. Joe Gannon, with co-stars James Daly and Audrey Totter, on "Medical Center."

Film

Everett appeared in numerous films and television series including "Centennial," Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), with Peter Graves, and Mulholland Drive (2001).

David McCallum from "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." in 1969 Photo: Wiki

Guest Star

As a guest star, Everett appeared in more than forty television series such as "Melrose Place," "The Nanny," "Touched by an Angel," "Diagnosis: Murder," "Caroline in the City," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Red Skelton Show," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," and "Route 66" and even "Cold Case" on CBS in 2006.

For many years Everett was also a co-host of the Labor Day Jerry Lewis Telethon. This telethon raises money and awareness for and about the affliction of muscular dystrophy.

Voice Actor

John Wayne in Born to the West (1937) Photo: Wiki

In addition, Everett was a voice actor. He was even personally selected by the family of John Wayne to be the voice of the animatronic figure of Wayne in Disney's Hollywood Studios' Great Movie Ride.

Long Marriage

Unlike most Hollywood couples, Everett and his wife, Shelby Grant, were married for 45 years.

Death and Condolences

Everett passed away, almost to the day, 13 months after his wife died. She died on June 25, 2011.

Talented Chad Everett is missed. Condolences go to his family and fans.

Deborah Smith Ford is a TV and film actress, celebrity lookalike, writer and author. Read more stories by Deborah Smith Ford.