Actor Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ star, dies at 80

Randolph Mantooth died peacefully on July 9 2026 at a hospice in Ventura, California, at age 80. His brother, Donald Mantooth, confirmed the death and said the actor had been battling multiple cancers—including throat cancer diagnosed in 2015—for several years.

Mantooth was best known for portraying firefighter‑paramedic Johnny Gage on NBC’s 1970s series Emergency!. The show introduced the paramedic profession to a broad audience and is credited with spurring legislation that expanded emergency medical services across the United States. He continued to champion firefighters, EMTs and paramedics throughout his life, appearing at industry events and serving as an honorary fire chief.

Beyond Emergency!, Mantooth enjoyed a five‑decade television career, with notable roles on soaps such as Loving, General Hospital, One Life to Live and The City, as well as guest spots on series like Dallas, Charlie’s Angels and Sons of Anarchy. He is survived by his wife, Kristen Connors, and his siblings Donald and Tonya.