Chad Everett, the broad-shouldered star of the 1970's television drama "Medical Center," has died. He was 75 and his daughter told the Associated Press that the cause was lung cancer.
Everett, a strapping, intensely masculine actor, spent seven years as youthful surgeon Joe Gannon on "Medical Center." In the CBS drama, Gannon was often seen bucking the system and his older superior Dr. Paul Lochner (James Daly), but in real life, Everett was on the other side of the counterculture movement.
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A conservative Republican in an industry known for its liberal political views, Everett famously sparred with Lily Tomlin over the issue of feminism during a 1972 appearance on "The Dick Cavett Show," causing the "Nashville" actress to storm off the set after he categorized his wife as "property."
Everett would go on to become a frequent guest star in shows such as "Melrose Place," "Murder, She Wrote" and "The Nanny." He would also appear in such films as "Mulholland Drive" and "Airplane II: The Sequel."
Everett is survived by his two daughters and six grandchildren; he is predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Shelby Grant.