Magnum, P.I. actor Roger E. Mosley has died at 83 … actor played Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin on popular 1980s series
- Actor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after car accident three days ago
- His daughter Ch-a said ‘he was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully’
- She added: ‘We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would HATE any crying done in his name’
- Mosley played the role of Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin on the show from 1980 thru 1988
- He had also appeared on TV shows including Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, The Love Boat and Sanford and Son
- Mosley had appeared in movies including The Mack, Leadbelly, McQ and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Magnum, P.I. actor Roger E. Mosley has died at the age of 83, his daughter announced on Sunday.
The Los Angeles-born actor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from injuries from an auto accident in Lynwood, California three days ago, his daughter Ch-a told The Hollywood Reporter.
She announced the sad news via Facebook, writing, ‘Roger E. Mosley, my father, your friend, your “coach Mosley” your “TC” from Magnum P.I., passed away at 1:17am.’
The latest: Magnum, P.I. actor Roger E. Mosley has died at the age of 83, his daughter announced on Sunday. He was pictured at a 2017 event in Glendale, California
She said ‘he was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully,’ adding, ‘We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would HATE any crying done in his name.
‘It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands. Rest easy.’
Mosley played the role of Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin on the popular series opposite Tom Selleck from 1980 thru 1988, appearing on 158 episodes. His character Calvin was the proprietor of a helicopter business called Island Hoppers. He had previously worked on the film Terminal Island with Selleck, who recommended him for the part.
He spoke about how he initially did not want to interrupt his film career by doing the series in a 2019 interview with Jim Conlan.
Mosley played the role of Theodore ‘TC’ Calvin on the popular series opposite Tom Selleck from 1980 thru 1988, appearing on 158 episodes
The actor was pictured at an event in Carlsbad, California in 1986
Mosley said his agent told him, ‘It’s starring this guy Tom Selleck. Tom Selleck has made about five pilot shows … and none of them have sold. So here’s what you do, Roger: Sign up for the show, go over to Hawaii, they’ll treat you good for the 20 days it will take to shoot the [pilot], you’ll get a lot of money, and then you come home. A show with Tom Selleck always fails, and you’ll be fine.’
Mosley added, ‘Well, eight-and-a-half years later …’
He said that his character was initially written to be running a struggling business, but he vetoed that as he didn’t want to ‘be the only Black person in Hawaii and be broke.’
He said the writers ‘reversed,’ as ‘they decided Tom would be broke, and I would be financially well off – except I was always bailing him out.’
Mosley appeared on two episodes of the reboot of the series playing a character named John Booky.
In addition to his work on Magnum, P.I., the actor also appeared on TV shows including Fact Checkers Unit, Las Vegas, Rude Awakening, Walker, Texas Ranger, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Night Court, You Take the Kids, The Love Boat, Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, Sanford and Son, Kung Fu and Kojak.
His film resume included appearances in movies such as The Mack, Leadbelly, Terminal Island, The Greatest, McQ, Heart Condition, Unlawful Entry, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and Hammerlock.
