"Medical Center" actor Chad Everett dies at 75

This undated photo released by Katherine Thorp shows Chad Everett / AP Photo/Courtesy Katherine Thorp

(AP) LOS ANGELES - Chad Everett, the blue-eyed star of the 1970s TV series "Medical Center" who went on to appear in such films and TV shows as "Mulholland Drive" and "Melrose Place," has died. He was 75.

Everett's daughter, Katherine Thorp, said he died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles after a year-and-a-half-long battle with lung cancer.

Pictures: Chad Everett

Everett played sensitive doctor Joe Gannon for seven years on "Medical Center." The role earned him two Golden Globes and an Emmy nomination.

With a career spanning more than 40 years, Everett guest starred on such TV series as "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Without a Trace." Everett most recently appeared in the TV series "Castle." His films credits included "The Jigsaw Murders," "The Firechasers" and director Gus Van Sant's "Psycho."

Everett was born in South Bend, Ind., and graduated from Wayne State University before moving to Los Angeles and becoming a contract player with MGM.

In perhaps his most memorable recent film role, Everett played a lothario who engages in a steamy audition with a young ingDenue portrayed by Naomi Watts in director David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive".

Everett is survived by his two daughters, Katherine and Shannon, and six grandchildren. He was married to actress Shelby Grant for 45 years until her death last year.

8 Photos

Chad Everett: 1936-2012

[D-Everett]

I am his son -Dale Everett .Wish I would have met him other than court when I was 8. Blood test said he was my dad and my mom passed a lie detector which he refused to take. a JURY decided that he was not my father even though i looked like him , took a blood test and my mother passed a lie detector. I will still miss him though RIP dad

[SUZAMBA]

Another great actor has been lost. I always thought Chad Everett was such a handsome man, a gentleman, may he rest in peace.

[Transatlantique]

Copy editors need English lessons. "ingDenue?"

[mari1963]

Great looking guy and devoted family man. Not too many of those around anymore in Hollywood. God Bless his family.

[John_Merritt]

At one time Chad and James Brolin were by far the best looking men in America hands down. Good actor's as well. Sympathies to the family.

[dresia]

A great actor will be truly missed.

[royalstar05]

RIP

[credibility2]

God bless...another talented entertainer passes...

[lswife]

He was a major crush of mine back then.

[MojitoMamma]

OMG -- me too. I never missed an ephisode of Medical Center.

[wlhoppers]

I got a chance to work with him when he came to California's State Capitol to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. He was very nice, very friendly and very professional. And he mentioned a couple of times how much he loved Shelby and his family.

My sympathies to his family.

[cookiemonstersmom]

Ummm, I think the word you're looking for is 'ingenue', not ingDenue.

[MojitoMamma]

Good call, mom. The lack of decent copy editing and proofreading nowadays really drives me nuts.

[sobobx]

Agreed. How difficult is it for a staff member to notice a typo like this? Probably either reading a biography of Edward R. Murrows or on FB. What's the point spread on it being FB?

RIP, Mr. Everett.