| Gregory Harrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gregory Neale Harrison May 31, 1950 Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Randi Oakes (1981–present) |
Gregory Neale Harrison (born May 31, 1950)[1] is an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Chandler in the 1987 cult favorite North Shore and as Trapper John MacIntyre's (played by Pernell Roberts) young surgeon, Dr. George Alonzo 'Gonzo' Gates, on the CBS series Trapper John, M.D. (a role he played from 1979 to 1985). He was also the title character on the 1977-78 science fiction series Logan's Run, after which he played the role of Levi Zendt on the 1978 NBC miniseries Centennial and had a situation comedy on CBS called Family Man, in which he played a single-father fireman who was rearing three children. He also played a widowed sheriff rearing three children in his mother's motel called Safe Harbor (1999).
Harrison's later role as stripper John Phillips in the 1981 TV movie For Ladies Only made him a favorite with women and gay men in the 1980s. He spoofed that role in the 1986 miniseries Fresno where his character appeared shirtless at every opportunity. Harrison was a regular in the final season (1989–90) of Falcon Crest. In 1996, he starred opposite Eric Roberts in It's My Party, a film based on the true events of a man diagnosed with AIDS who planned a two-day party to say goodbye to his friends and family and then took his own life with pills.
He also starred in the WB Network's Safe Harbor and One Tree Hill and has made guest appearances on numerous other shows such as Touched by an Angel, Judging Amy, Reunion, Joey, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit , Drop Dead Diva,and Hot In Cleveland.
For the last few years he has played the lead in a touring version of the musical Chicago and was the male lead in each film of the Au Pair trilogy. He also appeared as Benjamin Stone in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies and created a role in the original Broadway production of Kander & Ebb's Steel Pier.
In 2011 he had a guest starring role as a doctor on ABC's Body Of Proof.
In 2012, Harrison was in rehearsals for a musical version of a classic science fiction film with the Outside the Box Musical Theatre Company. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgrhPYR5q5w&feature=channel_video_title
Harrison was born in Avalon, California, the son of Ed, a ship's captain and poet.[2] Since 1980,[1] Harrison has been married to actress Randi Oakes (of CHiPs fame). The couple have four children, three girls and a boy. He lived in Gold Beach, Oregon, for 15 years and now resides in Eugene.[3] He enjoys surfing and golf.
Harrison was addicted to cocaine during the 1980s; he was able to attain sobriety with the help of the Betty Ford Center.[4]
His longtime friend, Pernell Roberts, died on January 24, 2010. Following his death, Harrison released a statement: "Pernell was a wonderful man, a good friend, and a big part of my life, especially when I was just beginning as an actor. He was a true inspiration to me, as he was to many actors over the years. I was so lucky to have shared the screen with him for nearly eight seasons, and am deeply saddened at his passing. Fortunately, he lives on in the memories of his fans, and in the hearts of the lucky people, like you and me, that he touched personally. I'll be forever grateful to him," (http://circlemending.blogspot.com/2010/01/memorial-for-my-friend-pernell-roberts.html).