Gavin MacLeod (/ m ə ˈ k l aʊ d / mə-KLOWD; born Allan George See; February 28, 1931 – May 29, 2021) was an American actor best known for his roles as news writer Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and ship's captain Merrill Stubing on ABC's The Love Boat.

The series was set on the cruise ship MS Pacific Princess, and revolved around the ship's captain Merrill Stubing (played by Gavin MacLeod) and a handful of his crew, with passengers played by guest actors for each episode, having romantic, dramatic and humorous adventures.

From there he went on to another benign starring role with the TV series, The Love Boat (1977), as the ingratiating Captain Stubing. On the down side, "Love Boat" marred MacLeod's chances to be considered for more challenging work, and his inability to cope with success led to alcoholism and divorce from second wife Patti.

May 29, 2021 · Best known as Captain Merrill Stubing on “The Love Boat,” a role he played from 1977 to 1986, MacLeod was nominated for three Golden Globes for the role and parlayed his fame portraying the...

Merrill Stubing is a central character in the beloved television series The Love Boat, portrayed by actor Gavin MacLeod. Captain Stubing serves as the charming and affable captain of the cruise ship MS Pacific Princess, where the series is set.

In the opening credits, the episode's guest stars are listed first in alphabetical order; then the show's regulars, who are referred to as "your Love Boat crew" (e.g. "Gavin MacLeod as your Captain", etc.).

May 29, 2021 · LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gavin MacLeod, the veteran supporting actor who achieved stardom as Murray Slaughter, the sardonic TV news writer on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, before going on to even bigger...