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

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.

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.

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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.”