| Gary Vinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 22, 1936 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 15, 1984 (aged 47) Redondo Beach, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1957–1982 |
| Height | 6' (1.83 m) |
Gary Vinson (October 22, 1936 – October 15, 1984) was an American actor who appeared in significant roles in three television series of the 1960s: The Roaring 20s, McHale's Navy, and Pistols 'n' Petticoats.
Born in Los Angeles, Vinson began acting in 1957. He went on to guest star on various television series including Whirlybirds, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Bat Masterson, Harbor Command, and The Rough Riders. In 1960, Vinson was cast in his first recurring role in a series as copy-boy Chris Higbee in thirty-nine episodes of ABC's The Roaring 20's. The series was canceled in 1962.
That same year, Vinson was cast as Quartermaster George "Christy" Christopher on the ABC comedy series McHale's Navy, starring Ernest Borgnine. Vinson appeared in seventy-nine episodes from 1962 to 1966, when the series ended. After McHale's Navy, Vinson was cast as Sheriff Harold Sikes in CBS's Pistols 'n' Petticoats.
In 1968, he starred with Doug McClure and David Hartman in the film Nobody's Perfect, a naval comedy about the USS Bustard. The following year he guest starred on The Virginian, and The F.B.I..
During the 1970s and 1980s, Vinson continued with guest roles on episodic television appearing in Love, American Style, McCloud, The Streets of San Francisco, The Waltons, S.W.A.T., Baa Baa Black Sheep, Battlestar Galactica, and Barnaby Jones. He made his last on-screen appearance in a 1982 episode of The Incredible Hulk.
On October 15, 1984, Vinson committed suicide in Redondo Beach. apparently because of impending legal trouble. He was 47 years old.