"The Equalizer" (1985) TV series 1985-1989

Creators:

Michael Sloan
Richard Lindheim
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

18 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Robert McCall is "The Equalizer", a private detective with a lot of contacts who is available for hire...

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Spy | New York City | Manhattan New York City | Neo Noir

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 11 nominations

Cast

Edward Woodward	...	Robert McCall (88 episodes, 1985-1989)
Keith Szarabajka	...	Mickey Kostmayer (56 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Directed by
Alan Metzger		(19 episodes, 1985-1989)
Richard Compton		(14 episodes, 1985-1988)
Russ Mayberry		(12 episodes, 1985-1989)
Bradford May		(6 episodes, 1988-1989)
Donald Petrie		(5 episodes, 1985-1988)
Marc Laub		(5 episodes, 1987-1989)
Aaron Lipstadt		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
James A. Contner		(3 episodes, 1988)
Rod Holcomb		(2 episodes, 1985)
Michael O'Herlihy		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tony Wharmby		(2 episodes, 1987)
Paul Krasny		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Mark Sobel		(2 episodes, 1988)

Series Writing credits
Richard Lindheim		(88 episodes, 1985-1989)
Michael Sloan		(88 episodes, 1985-1989)
Coleman Luck		(19 episodes, 1985-1989)
Scott Shepherd		(13 episodes, 1986-1988)
Maurice Hurley		(9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Joel Surnow		(9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Robert Eisele		(9 episodes, 1987-1989)
Carleton Eastlake		(7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jim Trombetta		(3 episodes, 1985-1987)
Heywood Gould		(3 episodes, 1985)
Jack V. Fogarty		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ed Waters		(3 episodes, 1987)
Peter McCabe		(3 episodes, 1988)
Gail Morgan Hickman		(3 episodes, 1989)
Donna Powers		(3 episodes, 1989)
Wayne Powers		(3 episodes, 1989)
Tom Towler		(3 episodes, 1989)
Charles Grant Craig		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mark Frost		(2 episodes, 1986)
Dennis Manuel		(2 episodes, 1987)
Robert Crais		(2 episodes, 1988)
Kevin Droney		(2 episodes, 1988)
Jacqueline Zambrano		(2 episodes, 1989)
Victor Hsu		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Produced by
James Duff McAdams	....	executive producer (87 episodes, 1985-1989)
Coleman Luck	....	co-producer / co-executive producer / ... (76 episodes, 1985-1989)
Peter A. Runfolo	....	coordinating producer / co-producer: New York (75 episodes, 1986-1989)
Dan Lieberstein	....	co-producer: New York / associate producer / ... (55 episodes, 1985-1988)
Ed Waters	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (44 episodes, 1986-1988)
Robert Eisele	....	co-producer / co-supervising producer (44 episodes, 1987-1989)
Marc Laub	....	producer (44 episodes, 1987-1989)
Stuart Cohen	....	supervising producer / supervising producer: New York / ... (40 episodes, 1985-1989)
Scott Shepherd	....	co-producer / supervising producer (27 episodes, 1986-1987)
Gail Morgan Hickman	....	co-producer (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
JoAnn M. Laub	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Maurice Hurley	....	supervising producer / co-producer (21 episodes, 1985-1986)
Joel Surnow	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (21 episodes, 1985-1986)
Alan Barnette	....	producer (20 episodes, 1986-1987)
Stuart Lieberman	....	associate producer (12 episodes, 1987-1988)
Mark Sobel	....	producer (9 episodes, 1988)
Edward Adler	....	producer (5 episodes, 1985)
Heywood Gould	....	co-executive producer (5 episodes, 1985)
Alan Metzger	....	producer (3 episodes, 1989)

Series Original Music by
Stewart Copeland		(51 episodes, 1985-1987)
Cameron Allan		(22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Joseph Conlan		(6 episodes, 1988)
John Cacavas		(5 episodes, 1988)
Bob Christianson		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Cinematography by
Geoffrey Erb		(73 episodes, 1985-1989)
Alan Metzger		(8 episodes, 1985)
Richard C. Kratina		(2 episodes, 1985)
David Greene		(2 episodes, 1988)
Constantine Makris		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Robert Q. Lovett		(27 episodes, 1985-1989)
Marc Laub		(14 episodes, 1985-1987)
Gary Karr		(13 episodes, 1987-1989)
Norman Gay		(12 episodes, 1985-1989)
Scott Vickrey		(12 episodes, 1986-1988)
Stanley Warnow		(11 episodes, 1985-1987)
Michael R. Miller		(9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jeffrey Wolf		(8 episodes, 1985-1986)
Norman Hollyn		(7 episodes, 1985-1986)
Richard P. Cirincione		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robert M. Reitano		(4 episodes, 1989)
Bill Pankow		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Lawrence Silk		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Arline Garson		(2 episodes, 1986)
Thomas S. Drescher		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Casting by
Lois Planco		(87 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Production Design by
Richard Bianchi		(76 episodes, 1985-1989)
Jeffrey Beecroft		(10 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Art Direction by
Wing Lee		(47 episodes, 1985-1988)
Rick Butler		(22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jeffrey Beecroft		(3 episodes, 1985)

Series Set Decoration by
Thomas C. Tonery		(39 episodes, 1987-1989)
Caryl Heller		(5 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume Design by
Linda Wayne		(65 episodes, 1985-1988)
John Boxer		(22 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Makeup Department
Joe Cuervo	....	make-up / make up / ... (86 episodes, 1985-1989)
Joseph Coscia	....	hair stylist (36 episodes, 1987-1989)
Jerry Masarone	....	hair stylist (34 episodes, 1985-1987)
Werner Sherer	....	hair stylist (10 episodes, 1987)
William A. Farley	....	hair stylist (6 episodes, 1988)

Series Production Management
Diane Foti	....	unit production manager (80 episodes, 1985-1989)
Peter A. Runfolo	....	unit production manager (12 episodes, 1985)
Judith Stevens	....	unit production manager (7 episodes, 1989)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert E. Warren	....	first assistant director (36 episodes, 1985-1989)
Ellen H. Schwartz	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (26 episodes, 1985-1988)
Nelson Cabrera	....	second second assistant director (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
Amy Sayres	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (12 episodes, 1985-1988)
Alex Kramarchuk	....	second assistant director (12 episodes, 1986-1989)
Vebe Borge	....	second assistant director (9 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ken Ornstein	....	first assistant director / second assistant director (8 episodes, 1985-1988)
Dana J. Kuznetzkoff	....	second assistant director (8 episodes, 1987-1989)
Drew Ann Rosenberg	....	second assistant director (8 episodes, 1987-1989)
Matt Fenton	....	apprentice assistant director (8 episodes, 1988-1989)
Joseph P. Reidy	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 1985)
Ellen Rauch	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Ingber	....	second assistant director (7 episodes, 1988-1989)
Aaron Barsky	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1986-1987)
Peter A. Runfolo	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1989)
Henry Bronchtein	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1985)
Mark McGann	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (3 episodes, 1986-1988)
Ian Woolf	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 1988)
Kyle McCarthy	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1986-1989)
Richard Patrick	....	second assistant director / second second assistant director (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Bruce Nalepinski	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
Charles Zalben	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1987)
David Dreyfuss	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1989)
Carla Zackson	....	dga trainee (unknown episodes, 1987)
Timothy J. Lonsdale	....	first assistant director: second unit (unknown episodes)
Jane Paul	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Linda Skipper	....	scenic artist (81 episodes, 1985-1989)
Kevin McCarthy	....	set dresser (44 episodes, 1987-1989)
Philip Saccio	....	property master (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Eric Stepper	....	property master (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
John McDonnell	....	property master (5 episodes, 1987)
Warren Jorgensen	....	scenic artist (2 episodes, 1986)
Eric Weiler	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Steve Scanlon	....	sound mixer (75 episodes, 1985-1989)
Fred Rosenberg	....	supervising sound editor (44 episodes, 1986-1988)
James Perdue	....	boom operator (40 episodes, 1985-1989)
Lisa J. Levine	....	adr editor (13 episodes, 1989)
Mike Marcucci	....	apprentice sound editor (11 episodes, 1987-1988)
Kevin Meehan	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Randall Coleman	....	assistant sound editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)
Richard Friedlander	....	assistant sound editor (unknown episodes)
Kevin Lee	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Gary Parker	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Harry Peck Bolles	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Philip Stockton	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Lionel Strutt	....	adr mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Edward Drohan	....	special effects (44 episodes, 1987-1989)

Series Visual Effects by
Mitch Wilson	....	optical effects (88 episodes, 1985-1989)

Series Stunts
Harry Madsen	....	stunt coordinator (44 episodes, 1985-1987)
Frank Ferrara	....	stunt coordinator (40 episodes, 1987-1989)
Gene Harrison	....	stunts / stunt double (12 episodes, 1985-1988)
John Cenatiempo	....	stunts (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Richard Epper	....	stunt double / stunts (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jim Lovelett	....	stunt coordinator (2 episodes, 1989)
Rick Avery	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Victor Magnotta	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
Edgard Mourino	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Gene Engels	....	gaffer (44 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bob Brennan	....	key grip (42 episodes, 1987-1989)
Alec Hirschfeld	....	camera operator (28 episodes, 1988-1989)
Robert Bauer	....	key grip (2 episodes, 1989)
Richard Guinness Jr.	....	key grip (2 episodes, 1989)
John Smith	....	gaffer (2 episodes, 1989)
Jack Coffen	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
John Dolan	....	grip (unknown episodes)
James W. Finnerty	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Raymond Fortune	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Chris Hammond	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Tom Kerwick	....	key grip: second unit (unknown episodes)
Sal Lanza	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Sylvia Fay	....	extras casting (88 episodes, 1985-1989)
Cal Saint John	....	casting assistant (9 episodes, 1985)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Benjamin Wilson	....	wardrobe supervisor / costume supervisor (40 episodes, 1985-1989)
Guy Tanno	....	wardrobe supervisor (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Rose Trimarco	....	wardrobe supervisor (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Robert Dean Jackson	....	wardrobe supervisor (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robin L. Ruth	....	wardrobe supervisor (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jan Finnell	....	costume shopper (5 episodes, 1986)

Series Editorial Department
Valerie Schwartz	....	editorial coordinator / assistant film editor / ... (35 episodes, 1985-1987)
JoAnn M. Laub	....	post-production coordinator / assistant film editor / ... (23 episodes, 1986-1988)
Stuart Lieberman	....	post-production coordinator (22 episodes, 1986-1987)
Lisa Delgrosso	....	assistant film editor / editorial coordinator (20 episodes, 1985-1988)
Beriau Picard	....	assistant film editor (15 episodes, 1985-1987)
Tara Timpone	....	assistant film editor (14 episodes, 1986-1989)
Donnamarie Hock	....	assistant film editor (14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Anne Sawyer	....	assistant film editor (12 episodes, 1987-1989)
William Karpe	....	assistant film editor (9 episodes, 1985-1986)
Judith Blume	....	editorial coordinator (8 episodes, 1985)
Suzanne Pillsbury	....	assistant film editor (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Tony Grocki	....	assistant film editor (6 episodes, 1988-1989)
K.F. Ligammari	....	apprentice editor (5 episodes, 1988-1989)
Mark Juergens	....	apprentice editor (4 episodes, 1986)
Joseph Gutowski	....	assistant film editor (4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Pam Di Fede	....	assistant film editor (4 episodes, 1989)
Nick Smith	....	apprentice editor (3 episodes, 1989)
Elizabeth Ackerman	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1985)
Maryann Brandon	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1985)
Nicholas Holmes	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Barbara Minor	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1987)
William Kruzykowski	....	assistant film editor (2 episodes, 1988)
Peter B. Ellis	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Tom San Martin	....	negative matcher (unknown episodes)
Arnold Shuster	....	negative matcher (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Thomas S. Drescher	....	music editor (47 episodes, 1985-1987)
Stewart Copeland	....	theme by (37 episodes, 1986-1989)
Tom Bruno	....	music coordinator (37 episodes, 1987-1989)
Jeff Seitz	....	music performer (28 episodes, 1986-1987)
Elizabeth Ackerman	....	music editor (27 episodes, 1988-1989)
Mike Gromley	....	music coordinator: OSS (18 episodes, 1985-1986)
Derek Power	....	music coordinator: OSS (18 episodes, 1985-1986)
Seth Kaplan	....	music coordinator: OSS (9 episodes, 1986)
Todd Kasow	....	music editor (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Patrick Mullins	....	music editor (5 episodes, 1988)
John Miller	....	composer: additional music / composer: jazz music (2 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Transportation Department
Edward Iacobelli	....	transportation captain (29 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Other crew
Wendy Chesebrough Lowe	....	assistant to executive producer (53 episodes, 1987-1989)
Soomi Marano	....	production office coordinator (46 episodes, 1985-1987)
Kim Nielsen	....	assistant to executive producer / executive assistant (42 episodes, 1985-1987)
Ira Hurvitz	....	script supervisor (29 episodes, 1986-1989)
Sheila Paige	....	script supervisor (26 episodes, 1985-1989)
Barbara Stoia	....	script supervisor (22 episodes, 1985-1989)
Donna Powers	....	story editor (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Wayne Powers	....	story editor (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Tom Towler	....	executive story consultant (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Jody Milano Vanderputten	....	production office coordinator (22 episodes, 1988-1989)
Chris Schutsky	....	set location assistant / location assistant (19 episodes, 1985-1989)
Carleton Eastlake	....	story editor (18 episodes, 1986-1987)
Debra Tanklow	....	production office coordinator (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
Deborah Lee	....	location manager (14 episodes, 1988-1989)
Scott Shepherd	....	executive story consultant (12 episodes, 1985-1986)
Stan Mendoza	....	location manager (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Steve Johnson	....	story editor (9 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jan DeVries	....	technical advisor (8 episodes, 1985)
Joanne Small	....	script supervisor (8 episodes, 1988-1989)
Peter McCabe	....	story editor (8 episodes, 1988)
Esther Gordon	....	production assistant (7 episodes, 1985)
John Romeo	....	production assistant (7 episodes, 1986)
Diane Foti	....	production associate (7 episodes, 1989)
Rick Ashman	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1986)
Judith Stevens	....	production associate (5 episodes, 1989)
Theodore Gershuny	....	story editor (4 episodes, 1985)
Mike Marcucci	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Don Carlos Dunaway	....	creative consultant (4 episodes, 1986)
Abdul Malik Abbott	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1987)
Bettiann Fishman	....	location manager (4 episodes, 1988)
Quincy Z. Gunderson	....	location assistant (4 episodes, 1989)
Dan Frye	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1986)
David Tripet	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 1986)
Tim Tyler	....	location assistant (unknown episodes, 1988-1989)
Brett Botula	....	location scout (unknown episodes)
Salvatore Carino	....	production estimator (unknown episodes)
Adam Cohen	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Kati Johnston	....	assistant location manager (unknown episodes)
Gene Kraft	....	title designer (unknown episodes)
Adam Lichtenstein	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Barbara Lucey	....	production accountant (unknown episodes)
Kate McCallum	....	assistant to writer (unknown episodes)
Peter Pastorelli	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
M. Ross-Michaels	....	assistant accountant (unknown episodes)
Aaron Sadovsky	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Michael Sloan	....	conceived by (unknown episodes)
Matthew T. Weiner	....	location assistant (unknown episodes)
Nadine F. Wilson	....	post-production accountant (unknown episodes)
Steven Wren	....	location assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Gene Engels	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Caryl Heller	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Edward Iacobelli	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Debra Katz Weber	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Michael T. Miller	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Peter Pastorelli	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Steve Scanlon	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Janet Shaw	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Kenneth Vogt	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Benjamin Wilson	....	the producers wish to thank (1 episode, 1986)
Ernie Palinkas	....	this episode is dedicated to the memory of (1 episode, 1987)

Production Companies

• Universal TV

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1985-1989) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Fabulous Films (2012) (UK) (DVD)
• Independent Television (ITV)
• Studios USA Television
• Umbrella Entertainment (2011) (Australia) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Hastings Sound Editorial  sound editing
• Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, The  filmed with the cooperation of
• New York Police Department Motion Picture Unit  filmed with the cooperation of (as New York City Police Department Movie/TV Unit)
• Optical House, The  opticals (as The Optical House, N.Y.)
• Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting  extras casting

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

Edward Woodward suffered a heart attack in the summer of 1987. Accordingly, the producers needed to find a quick replacement while Woodward recuperated. Robert Mitchum was brought on as an old friend of Robert McCall who helped McCall's son search for his missing father in the two-part episode, "Mission: McCall." Richard Jordan was also brought on as embittered former operative Harley Gage and stayed for eight more episodes.

Quotes:

Robert McCall:You have five seconds to give me the name.
[pause]
Robert McCall:Time's up, throw him out of the window!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Lone Gunmen: Planet of the Frohikes (#1.7)" (2001)

Dark and serious with great writing and acting.

A very strong series during its initial run and in the occasional burst of reruns that can be found occasionally.

Edward Woodward is a superb actor, and was a sharp contrast to most other private detectives of the day (and indeed, even today). The 80's might as well have been called the "Era of the P.I." with so many series centered around them (Magnum P.I., Simon and Simon, Riptide, even Miami Vice and the other police shows). But Robert McCall was an entirely different kind of detective. He was a seemingly mild mannered Englishman, who dressed sharply and drove a cool Jaguar. He rarely engaged in any kind of physical struggles, yet was probably the most menacing of any television P.I. While the others were jumping onto the hoods of cars and duking it out with the bad guys, McCall's quiet presence and absolute lack of any fear whatsoever was thrilling. The fact that a middle aged man who looks more like a University professor than a detective could look so menacing and literally HARDCORE speaks volumes about Woodward's acting capability.

Probably the best theme music ever written, as well.