Jack Colvin Dies at Age 71 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 12-05-2005, 10:34 PM

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedi...ck=1&cset=true

Jack Colvin, a popular character actor who co-starred with Bill Bixby as the abrasive tabloid reporter Jack McGee in the 1970s television series "The Incredible Hulk," has died. He was 71.

Colvin died Thursday in a North Hollywood nursing home of complications following a stroke he suffered Oct. 22.

The "Hulk" series, based on the Marvel Comics hero, ran from 1977 to 1982 on CBS, featuring Bixby as a scientist frustrated and angry over being too weak to save his wife's life in a car crash. He subjects himself to gamma rays to explore extraordinary strength, and when he becomes enraged, turns into a most un-jolly green giant (played by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno).

Colvin, who had a long history as a stage actor, was dubious about the series when he was asked to sign on.

"When they told me the title, I laughed…. But then they gave me two scripts to read and I knew the series would go," he told The Times shortly before the series ended. "People identify tremendously with the frustration, the rage and the anger that breaks out in a man."

Times reviewer Kevin Thomas wrote when the series began in 1977 that it "is incredible, all right — but that doesn't mean it isn't also lots of fun and even poignant besides."

Thomas and other reviewers praised Colvin's work as McGee, with one even commending the actor for doing "more with this character than it probably deserves."

Colvin also directed a few episodes of the series.

A native of Lyndon, Kan., Colvin moved to Los Angeles with his family at an early age and became a child stage actor. At age 17 he became a private student of the actor and teacher Michael Chekhov, and later taught the Chekhov acting technique at USC, Cal State Northridge, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Central School of Cinematography in Rome.

In the 1960s, Colvin teamed with Yvonne Wilder as a comedy duo, Colvin and Wilder, performing at Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills and on television variety shows.

Colvin's other television work included appearances in "The Rat Patrol," "Kojak," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Rockford Files," "Quincy," "Cagney and Lacey" and "Murder, She Wrote." On the big screen, he had minor roles in several films, including "Scorpio" and "Rooster Cogburn."

An active member of Theatre East in Studio City for 20 years, Colvin directed such productions as "Dead End at Sunset" in 1990 and acted in many others. The theater company staged "Girly, Girly and The Real McCoy," which Colvin wrote.

He was prominent in other small theaters locally, directing plays ranging from his former partner Wilder's comedy "Weehawken" at the Tiffany in 1988 to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at the Melrose Theater in 1993.

At the time of his death, Colvin was the artistic director of the Michael Chekhov Studio, USA West.

He had no immediate survivors.

Stuck In The '70's · 12-05-2005, 10:38 PM

OMG. This is sad. He was great as McGee and he will always be remembered. He's with Bill now. R.I.P. Jack.

Skywalker · 12-05-2005, 11:19 PM

I've never seen him in anything besides the Incredible Hulk, but I thought he was great on that show. R.I.P. Jack.

tv star collector · 12-06-2005, 08:21 AM

Jack Colvin was perfectly cast as reporter Jack McGee. I did happen to see him
once in an episode of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, in a supporting role. But I
saw every episode of THE INCREDIBLE HULK, and Colvin always gave a great
performance as the tenacious reporter. I would like to have seen him reprise
his role in THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK TV-movie, so that there would
have been some closure there. But he did have a chance to take center stage
in the episodes "Mystery Man" (a great two-parter) and "Proof Positive"
(the only episode in which Bill Bixby does not appear). R.I.P., Jack.

GARFIELDKOOL · 12-08-2005, 07:32 PM

I just heard about this this morning. I am sorry to hear that. Mr. McGee was a pest, but he had me rollin' because he followed David around everywhere he went. R.I.P. Jack Colvin.

dawsongirl · 12-10-2005, 02:34 AM

No!! I didn't hear about this!! Oh man...all the great 70s era TV actors are dying.

Guess he and Bill can have a little Hulk reunion in heaven.

dawsongirl · 12-10-2005, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

I would like to have seen him reprise
his role in THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK TV-movie, so that there would have been some closure there.

Me too. That movie was weird, but putting Jack in it would have made it a little more down home and less out there.

dawsongirl · 12-10-2005, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

"When they told me the title, I laughed…. But then they gave me two scripts to read and I knew the series would go," he told The Times shortly before the series ended.

Oh, that's funny, because Bill said something very similar to that about when he first heard about TIH.

Quote:

In the 1960s, Colvin teamed with Yvonne Wilder as a comedy duo, Colvin and Wilder, performing at Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills and on television variety shows.

She played Jesse's mom on the first couple of seasons of Full House. lol...who knew you could link TIH to FH?

dandelion wine · 03-14-2006, 04:30 PM

This is really late but even so, may you rest in peace Jack.

12-05-2005, 10:34 PM	#1
TJ Administrator Administrator Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 7,307	Jack Colvin Dies at Age 71 http://www.latimes.com/news/printedi...ck=1&cset=true Jack Colvin, a popular character actor who co-starred with Bill Bixby as the abrasive tabloid reporter Jack McGee in the 1970s television series "The Incredible Hulk," has died. He was 71. Colvin died Thursday in a North Hollywood nursing home of complications following a stroke he suffered Oct. 22. The "Hulk" series, based on the Marvel Comics hero, ran from 1977 to 1982 on CBS, featuring Bixby as a scientist frustrated and angry over being too weak to save his wife's life in a car crash. He subjects himself to gamma rays to explore extraordinary strength, and when he becomes enraged, turns into a most un-jolly green giant (played by bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno). Colvin, who had a long history as a stage actor, was dubious about the series when he was asked to sign on. "When they told me the title, I laughed…. But then they gave me two scripts to read and I knew the series would go," he told The Times shortly before the series ended. "People identify tremendously with the frustration, the rage and the anger that breaks out in a man." Times reviewer Kevin Thomas wrote when the series began in 1977 that it "is incredible, all right — but that doesn't mean it isn't also lots of fun and even poignant besides." Thomas and other reviewers praised Colvin's work as McGee, with one even commending the actor for doing "more with this character than it probably deserves." Colvin also directed a few episodes of the series. A native of Lyndon, Kan., Colvin moved to Los Angeles with his family at an early age and became a child stage actor. At age 17 he became a private student of the actor and teacher Michael Chekhov, and later taught the Chekhov acting technique at USC, Cal State Northridge, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Central School of Cinematography in Rome. In the 1960s, Colvin teamed with Yvonne Wilder as a comedy duo, Colvin and Wilder, performing at Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills and on television variety shows. Colvin's other television work included appearances in "The Rat Patrol," "Kojak," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Rockford Files," "Quincy," "Cagney and Lacey" and "Murder, She Wrote." On the big screen, he had minor roles in several films, including "Scorpio" and "Rooster Cogburn." An active member of Theatre East in Studio City for 20 years, Colvin directed such productions as "Dead End at Sunset" in 1990 and acted in many others. The theater company staged "Girly, Girly and The Real McCoy," which Colvin wrote. He was prominent in other small theaters locally, directing plays ranging from his former partner Wilder's comedy "Weehawken" at the Tiffany in 1988 to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at the Melrose Theater in 1993. At the time of his death, Colvin was the artistic director of the Michael Chekhov Studio, USA West. He had no immediate survivors.

12-05-2005, 10:38 PM	#2
Stuck In The '70's Forum Legend Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: In Television Hell Posts: 56,765	OMG. This is sad. He was great as McGee and he will always be remembered. He's with Bill now. R.I.P. Jack. __________________ Sonny

03-14-2006, 04:30 PM	#9
dandelion wine Forum Celebrity ~ Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,859	This is really late but even so, may you rest in peace Jack. __________________ Fans of Jon-Erik Hexum Merry Christmas!

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12-05-2005, 11:19 PM	#3
Skywalker Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 13,702	I've never seen him in anything besides the Incredible Hulk, but I thought he was great on that show. R.I.P. Jack.

12-06-2005, 08:21 AM	#4
tv star collector Senior Member I Love Susie Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,228	Jack Colvin was perfectly cast as reporter Jack McGee. I did happen to see him once in an episode of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, in a supporting role. But I saw every episode of THE INCREDIBLE HULK, and Colvin always gave a great performance as the tenacious reporter. I would like to have seen him reprise his role in THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK TV-movie, so that there would have been some closure there. But he did have a chance to take center stage in the episodes "Mystery Man" (a great two-parter) and "Proof Positive" (the only episode in which Bill Bixby does not appear). R.I.P., Jack.

12-08-2005, 07:32 PM	#5
GARFIELDKOOL Senior Member Member Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,025	I just heard about this this morning. I am sorry to hear that. Mr. McGee was a pest, but he had me rollin' because he followed David around everywhere he went. R.I.P. Jack Colvin.

12-10-2005, 02:34 AM	#6
dawsongirl Forum Legend Member Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 52,914	No!! I didn't hear about this!! Oh man...all the great 70s era TV actors are dying. Guess he and Bill can have a little Hulk reunion in heaven.