Actor Paul Mantee, who appeared in both film and TV, has passed away at the age of 82 on Nov. 7.
According to Broadway World, Mantee was best known for starring in the cult classic 1964 film Robinson Crusoe on Mars. He also appeared on the popular TV cop show Cagney and Lacey starting in season five, where he played Detective Al Corassa.
In addition to his work on-screen, he wrote two books, Pasta Master: In Search of the Perfect Ravioli and Bruno of Hollywood. Both were published by Ballantine Books in the early 1990s.
Mantee also wrote columns for the local newspaper in Malibu, The Hollywood Reporter notes. In Robinson Crusoe, he played the lead role as Commander Christopher "Kit" Draper alongside a monkey.
Before acting, Mantee joined the Navy for a spell. He then went to Hollywood and landed roles where he said they would "put me in a big silk suit with a gun that was about the size of a cannon."
He also appeared in small roles on various TV shows, such as Seinfeld, Mannix, Murder, She Wrote, I Spy and Quincy M.E..
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