Roger E. Mosley, best comprehended for his part in the “Magnum, P.I.” action crime series, has died. He was 83.
Mosley passed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Sunday due to injuries he sustained in a car casualty in Lynwood, California; on Thursday, Mosley’s daughter Ch-a Mosley confirmed to USA TODAY.
Brought into the world in L.A. on Dec. 18, 1938, to Eloise Harris, Mosley raised in the Imperial Courts public housing in the Watts. The entertainer made his television debut on the crime show “Longstreet” in 1971 and starred in many films all through the ’70s, including the crime dramatization “Hit Man,” the blaxploitation flick “The Mack” and the John Wayne show “McQ.”
Be that as it may, Mosley never left the universe of television behind, appearing in series, for example, “Kojak,” “The Rockford Files,” “Sanford and Son,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams,” “The Love Boat.” “Kung Fu,”
His showbiz breakthrough, yet, came in 1980 when he achieved the role of helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin on “Magnum, P.I.,” which starred Tom Selleck & John Hillerman.
The term Mosley’s “Magnum, P. I.” character delivered to the Black community was essential to the L.A. native.
“They (the Magnum writers) keep reporting for me to smoke and drink; however, I will not create it happen,” Mosley stated Ebony in a 1982 interview, per The Hollywood Journalist. “I never get high, smoke or party on the show or in real life. That is not the thing I think Black kids should see.”
On social media Sunday, many shared affectionate memories of watching Mosley onscreen.
“Such a large amount of my Magnum P.I. enjoyment comes from Roger E. Mosley, the overlooked comic hero of numerous a scene on that show,” noted editor Philip Michaels on Twitter.
Writer & director Tina Andrews wrote it was a “miserable day.”
“My friend Roger E. Mosley, 83, who recreated “T.C.” on Magnum P.I., has transitioned,” she continued. “His family surrounded him after suffering from a car crash this weekend. What a sweet man and a fine entertainer who gave great parties. RIP, Roger. You were loved and will be missed.”
Twitter user @JerrellZod wrote, “Some of these small children don’t understand there was a time when there was just such countless Black entertainers and actresses on T.V./film REGULARLY”, also Mosley was one of them.
@shavar on Twitter told Mosley was a “wonderful entertainer.”
“I raised up noticing Mr Mosley play tennis at Poinsettia Park in West Hollywood, CA. He was like family,” the tweet read. “I was honoured to play his child Bryant on T.V.’s Magnum P.I. My prayers and consolations to Mr Mosley’s family, friends and fans.”
Writer Jay Faerber said, “#MagnumPI could never have been the same without (Roger E. Mosley).”
Following the show’s eight-year run, Mosley yielded to the “Magnum, P.I.” universe in 2019, recreating the part of John Booky in the CBS reboot of the show, which debuted in 2018.
Mosley’s daughter, Ch-a, shared a paean to her father on Facebook.
“Family surrounded him as he transcended peacefully,” Ch-a wrote. “We would never grieve such an amazing man. He would Despise any crying done in his name. It is time to honour the legacy he left for every one of us. I love you, daddy. You loved me as well. My heart is heavy; however, I am solid.”
“I will care for mom, your love of nearly 60 years,” Mosley’s daughter’s post continued. “You grew me well, and she is in excellent hands. Rest easy.”
Mosley is stayed by his wife Antoinette “Toni” and three children.
