Famous Faces on "Police Story" Season One! (1973-74)
by gattonero975 | created - 21 Mar 2013 | updated - 31 Dec 2015 | PublicCreated by Joseph Wambaugh, an ex-cop turned author, "Police Story" is an anthology series detailing the lives of LAPD officers in a collection of realistic and gritty accounts of what it meant to be a cop in 1970's Los Angeles. It distinguished itself from its predececessors by a multidimensional portrayal of its protagonosts--these cops were flawed, not cartoonlike heroes. From week to week, gripping episodes addressed difficult issues such as police corruption and the stresses and hell that can come with leading a cop's life.
With no regular cast, the show featured different stars each week, as well as a rotating acting ensemble. The series became the archetype for many critically acclaimed shows that followed, including "Hill Street Blues, Homicide: Life On The Street and NYPD Blue."
1. Morris Buchanan
Actor | Coffy
Morris Buchanan was born on February 26, 1923 in Riverside, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Coffy (1973), Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955) and St. Ives (1976). He was married to Noella Austin and Bessie K. Brown. He died on August 14, 2014 in Riverside, California, USA.
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Detective #1"
2. Michael Ansara
Actor | The Message
Born in a small village in Syria, Michael Ansara came to the United States with his American parents at the age of two, living in New England, until the family's relocation to California ten years later. He entered Los Angeles City College with the intention of becoming a doctor, but got ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Baldy"
3. Elizabeth Ashley
Actress | Windows
Award-winning actress Elizabeth Ashley can always be counted on to give her all. Grand in style, exotic in looks, divinely outgoing in personality and an engaging interpreter of Tennessee Williams' florid Southern-belles on stage, she was born Elizabeth Ann Cole on August 30, 1939, in Ocala, ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Jannette Johnson"
4. Edward Asner
Actor | Up
Edward Asner was born of Russian Jewish parentage in Kansas City, to Morris David Asner (founder and owner of the Kansas City-based Asner Iron & Metal Company) and his wife Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Seliger). After attending college, Ed worked various jobs, including in a steel mill, as a door-to-door ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Lt. Dave Blodgett"
5. Diane Baker
Actress | Marnie
Actress with a notable career in films and television. Born and raised in Hollywood, she moved to New York at eighteen to study acting with Charles Conrad and ballet with Nina Fonaroff. She continued her training in Los Angeles at the Estelle Harman Workshop, securing a contract with Twentieth ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Jenny Dale"
6. Chuck Connors
Actor | Tourist Trap
Chuck Connors was born Kevin Joseph Connors in Brooklyn, New York, to Marcella (nee Lundrigan; died 1971) and Alban Francis "Allan" Connors (died 1966), Roman Catholic immigrants of Irish descent from the Dominion of Newfoundland (now part of Canada). Chuck and his two-years-younger sister, Gloria,...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Slow Boy"
7. Patrick Cranshaw
Actor | Old School
Joseph Patrick Cranshaw was an American character actor from Oklahoma. He is well-known for playing fraternity brother Blue from the Todd Phillips comedy film Old School. He had minor roles in many other shows and films including Seinfeld, Air Bud, Herbie: Fully Loaded and The Dukes of Hazzard. He ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Man #2" (as Pat Cranshaw)
8. Mwako Cumbuka
Actor | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Mwako Cumbuka was born on September 1, 1950 in the USA. He is an actor, known for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Coffy (1973) and Police Woman (1974).
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Willy"
9. Kevin Dobson
Actor | Knots Landing
At his best playing blue-collared tough guys, curly dark-haired Irish-American actor Kevin Patrick Dobson was born in Queens, New York, on March 18, 1943, and raised in the Jackson Heights area of that borough. One of seven children born to a school janitor father and a homemaker mother, the future...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Patrolman" (as Keven Dobson)
10. David Doyle
Actor | Capricorn One
David Fitzgerald Doyle was born in Lincoln, Nebraska December 1, 1929. He was the son of Mary Ruth Fitzgerald and Lewis Raymond (Lum) Doyle, a prominent Lincoln attorney. His maternal grandfather was John Fitzgerald, a prominent banker and railroad builder in Nebraska. His paternal grandfather was ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Kurt Mueller"
11. James Farentino
Actor | The Final Countdown
James Farentino was an American actor, with many appearances in film and television. He is better known for playing fisherman and apostle Simon Peter in the miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977), and revenge-seeking psychiatrist Dr. Nick Toscanni in the soap opera "Dynasty". He played the role of ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Charlie Czonka"
12. Sharon Farrell
Actress | Can't Buy Me Love
Sharon Farrell was born on December 24, 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa, USA. She was an actress, known for Can't Buy Me Love (1987), Night of the Comet (1984) and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). She was married to Dale Trevillion, Steve Salkin, John Boyer, Ron De Blasio and Andrew Prine. She died on May 15, ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Bobbie"
13. Marjoe Gortner
Actor | Starcrash
In his early career as the 4-year-old "World's Youngest Ordained Minister," Pentecostal preacher Hugh Marjoe Ross Gortner became a 'Miracle Child' extraordinaire. Born in Long Beach, California, the young tyke, who ministered the gospel from memory and performed faith healings, drew capacity crowds...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Stan"
14. Harry Guardino
Actor | The Enforcer
Brash, virile Italian-American lead and supporting "tough guy" Harry Guardino, with dark, wavy hair and a perpetual worried look on his craggy-looking mug, was born Harold Vincent Guardino on December 23, 1925, in Manhattan but raised as a Brooklynite. Serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Sgt. Solly 'Sal Pickles' Piccolini"
15. Tony Lo Bianco
Actor | The French Connection
Tony Lo Bianco has appeared in numerous films, television programs, and stage performances, both on-screen and off as a writer, director, and producer. Onstage, he won an Obie Award for Best Actor in Jonathan Reynolds's "Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the 7th". Following his memorable performance as ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Tony Calabrese"
16. Dianne Hull
Actress | Amazing Stories
Known today as one of the premiere teachers of Method Acting in Los Angeles, Dianne Hull was introduced to audiences in Elia Kazan's The Arrangement (1969). Dianne's long acting career includes starring and co-starring roles in film, TV, and stage, including The Onion Field (1979), The New ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Patty Fresno"
17. John Karlen
Actor | Cagney & Lacey
John Karlen was born on May 28, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Cagney & Lacey (1981), Dark Shadows (1966) and House of Dark Shadows (1970). He was married to Betty Karlen. He died on January 22, 2020 in Burbank, California, USA.
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Detective #1 - 1st Supermarket Robbery"
18. Stephen Manley
Actor | Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Stephen Manley was born in Los Angeles, California. His grandfather, Stephen Soldi was an actor of the silent film era, teaching Stephen to read using film and television scripts. Stephen began attracting attention at a young age, working on shows such as "All in the Family" (1971), "Streets of San...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) ???
19. Janet Margolin
Actress | David and Lisa
Pretty, demure-looking Janet Margolin was born in New York City in 1943 and educated at the New York High School of Performing Arts. The long-haired brunette was discovered for films by director Frank Perry as she was making great strides as a teen on Broadway. He saw her in the play "Daughter of ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Marilyn"
20. Ralph Meeker
Actor | Paths of Glory
Burly American character actor Ralph Meeker first acted on stage at his alma mater, Northwestern University, alongside other budding performers Charlton Heston and Patricia Neal. He graduated as a music major because his dean had discouraged him from pursuing a theatrical career. Ignoring that ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Chief Harry Stahlgaher"
21. Don Meredith
Self | NFL Monday Night Football
Don Meredith was born on April 10, 1938 in Mount Vernon, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for NFL Monday Night Football (1970), Supertrain (1979) and McCloud (1970). He was married to Susan Schloss Lessans, Cheryl King and Alma Lynne Shamburger. He died on December 5, 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Officer Bert Jameson"
22. Vic Morrow
Actor | Combat!
Vic Morrow was born in the Bronx, New York, to Jean (Kress) and Harry Morrow, an electrical engineer. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Morrow dropped out of high school at 17 to join the U.S. Navy. When he left the Navy, he used the G.I. Bill to study pre-law at Florida State. While ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Sgt. Joe LaFreida"
23. John Bennett Perry
Actor | George of the Jungle
John Bennett Perry has enjoyed a diverse and successful career that spans over the last few decades. Born in 1941 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, he started a band with his brother Tony and enjoyed local success. His acting roots were firmly planted in New York, where he appeared on Broadway. ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Sgt. Chick Torpi"
24. Barbara Rhoades
Actress | The Goodbye Girl
Barbara Rhoades was born on March 23, 1946 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for The Goodbye Girl (1977), Harry and Tonto (1974) and Busting Loose (1977). She has been married to Bernie Orenstein since February 18, 1979. They have one child.
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Marnie"
25. Mews Small
Actress | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Mews Small was born on March 20, 1942 in Pasadena, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Sleeper (1973) and Man on the Moon (1999).
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Shirley" (as Marya Small)
26. Michael Strong
Actor | Patton
While never one of the big names on screen, Michael Strong was one of those excellent method actors who were often compelling to watch. Unsurprisingly, many of Michael's screen characters were typical New Yorkers, whether they be cops or thugs, and he imbued them with an edgy 'in-your-face' ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Lassiter"
27. Kenneth Tobey
Actor | The Thing from Another World
Born in Oakland, California, Kenneth Tobey was headed for a law career when he first dabbled in acting at the University of California Little Theater. That experience led to a year and a half of study at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, where his classmates included Gregory Peck, Eli Wallach and ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "McWalters" (as Ken Tobey)
28. Hal Williams
Actor | Guess Who
A veteran professional actor who has co-starred as a television series regular in NINE, prime time, HIT series, and has established himself solidly in both the areas of comedy and drama. Hal's latest projects include Disney Family Channel's Snow 2: Brain Freeze (2008) and Hallmark's Generation Gap ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Marshall Rhodes"
29. Fred Williamson
Actor | From Dusk Till Dawn
Former Oakland Raiders/Kansas City Chiefs football star who rose to prominence as one of the first African-American male action stars of the "blaxploitation" genre of the early 1970s, who has since gone on to a long and illustrious career as an actor, director, writer, and producer! Burly, yet ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Snake McKay"
30. Francine York
Actress | The Family Man
Francine York was born in the small mining town of Aurora, Minnesota to her parents, Frank and Sophie Yerich. When Francine was five, her family (including her younger sister, Deanne) moved to Cleveland, where she began to write short stories and take an interest in acting. At age nine, Francine ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Faye"
31. Scott Brady
Actor | Gremlins
He had the manly good looks and rugged appeal to make it to top stardom in Hollywood and succeeded quite well as a sturdy leading man of standard action on film and TV. Born in Brooklyn on September 13, 1924, Irish-American Scott Brady was christened Gerard Kenneth Tierney (called Jerry) by parents...
"Vinnie"
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2
Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973)
32. Chelsea Brown
Actress | The Thing with Two Heads
Chelsea Brown was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA as Lois Brown. She passed away from pneumonia March 28, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
She was an actress, comedienne, singer and dancer perhaps best known for being the first African-American series regular in the iconic, ground-breaking American TV ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Mrs. McKay"
33. Charles Dierkop
Actor | The Sting
Charles Dierkop was born on September 11, 1936 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for The Sting (1973), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984). He was married to Joan Florence Addis. He died on February 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California, ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Dave Rawlins"
34. Lee Duncan
Actor | Mission: Impossible
Lee Duncan is known for Mission: Impossible (1966), Boston Legal (2004) and Picket Fences (1992).
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 1 Dangerous Games (2 Oct. 1973) "Man at Table with Snake McKay" (uncredited)
35. Kim Hamilton
Actress | The Guiding Light
Kim Hamilton was born on September 12, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Guiding Light (1952), Body and Soul (1981) and Checkmate (1960). She was married to Werner Klemperer and Robert Henry Hamilton. She died on September 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Harriet Parsons"
36. Taylor Lacher
Actor | Mr. Majestyk
Taylor Lacher was born on April 2, 1942 in Pittsburg, Kansas, USA. He was an actor, known for Mr. Majestyk (1974), Cade's County (1971) and Ruckus (1980). He died on June 21, 2005 in Killen, Alabama, USA.
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Detective #2 - 1st Supermarket Robbery"
37. John Larch
Actor | Dirty Harry
Instantly recognizable American character actor with bulbous nose and heavily lined face, who could convey integrity or menace to equal effect. He first came to prominence on radio as (Captain) Starr of Space (1953), using ray guns to combat Martians and alien queens. Beginning in 1953, Larch ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 2 Requiem for an Informer (9 Oct. 1973) "Maury"
38. James Luisi
Actor | The Hidden
A native New Yorker, James Luisi attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights on a basketball scholarship. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He then played one season (1953-54) with the Baltimore Bullets in the National Basketball Association. His acting career began on the stage ...
Police Story: Season 1, Episode 0 Slow Boy (20 Mar. 1973) "Toby O'Brien" (as Jim Luisi)
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