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"The Love Boat" 'The Love Boat' was a hit ABC series that aired from 1977-1986 set aboard the cruise ship Pacific Princess. The show focused on the comedic tales of the crew and a revolving set of passengers. The show starred (from left to right) Fred Grandy (hapless purser Gopher), Ted Lange (smooth bartender Isaac), Jill Whelan (Captain Stubing's cute little daughter, Vicki),Gavin Mcleod (level-headed Captain Stubing), Lauren Tewes (sweetie pie cruise director Julie) and Bernie Kopell (the ship's lothario, Dr. Bricker). (AP)![LoveBoat]()
"The Love Boat" Each episode usually contained three storylines: one focused on a member of the crew, another on a romance (usually two passengers, but every once in a while a cast member got to have their heart broken), and a third on a dramatic storyline involving another set of passengers. The show was known for featuring high-profile guest stars each episode, which included over the years Tom Hanks, Shelley Winters, Abe Vigoda, Eva Marie Saint, Rosie Grier, and The Village People. (Paramount)![Gavin_MacLeod_then1]()
Then: Gavin MacLeod Gavin MacLeod was famous for playing Murray Slaughter on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" before landing the role of Captain Merrill Stubing. (Paramount)![Now: Gavin Macleod]()
Now: Gavin MacLeod During the show, MacLeod became a born-again Christian, and eventually remarried his first wife. He has since starred in the Christian film "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" and he penned an autobiography in 2013 called, "This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life." He's also the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades, California. Not bad! (Reuters)![FredGrandyThen]()
Then: Fred Grandy Fred Grandy had a recurring role in 1970's sitcom "Maude" before getting his big break playing Burl "Gopher" Smith, this ship's money-handler, on the series. (AP)![Now: Fred Grandy]()
Now: Fred Grandy Following the show, Grandy pursued his passion for politics and became a member of the House of Representatives from the state of Iowa in 1986. He later served as president and CEO of Goodwill Industries and worked as a political commentator. He was also the host of a show on Retirement Living TV called "Daily Cafe." In 2013, he returned to the stage in a production of "Sleuth" at the Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, New Jersey. (AP)![BernieKoppelNow]()
Then: Bernie Kopell Before landing the role of Dr. Adam Bricker, Bernie Kopell had starred in a slew of successful shows including "When Things Were Rotten," "The Doris Day Show," "Get Smart" and "That Girl. (AP)![Now: Bernie Kopell]()
Now: Bernie Kopell After the series, Bernie has continued to work steadily on TV with notable guest roles on "Charmed" and "My Name Is Earl." He also made a cameo in the 2008 film adaptation of "Get Smart." He scored the leading role in the off-Broadway production of "Viagra Falls" in 2010. (Reuters)![LaurenTewesThen]()
Then: Lauren Tewes Lauren Tewes was an unknown actress when she landed the role of Cruise Director Julie McCoy. She was fired from the show and replaced with Pat Klous in 1984 after a very public battle with cocaine addiction. (AP)![LaurenTewesNow]()
Now: Lauren Tewes Lauren is now clean and sober and living in Seattle where she does regional theater and voice-overs. She had a recurring role as a police detective on "The Fugitive" from 2000-2001. (Reuters)![JillWhelan]()
Then: Jill Whelan Jill Whelan began acting at the age of 7, landing a series of commercials, before getting her big break as Vicki Stubing, the daughter of Capt. Stubing. (AP)![JillWhelanNow]()
Now: Jill Whelan After the show, Jill performed in several off-Broadway shows and later returned to the small screen for a stint on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless." She has since left acting to focus on her family. (Reuters)![Ted Lange Then]()
Then: Ted Lange Ted Lange appeared in the 1974 film "Black Belt Jones" and starred in the series "That's My Mama" before landing the role of Isaac the bartender on "The Love Boat." (AP)![TedLange]()
Now: Ted Lange After the series ended, Lange appeared in several films and has guest starred on shows such as "Psych," "The King of Queens," "Scrubs," and more. He has also done extensive theater work as both a playwright and director. (Reuters)![TedMcGinley]()
Then: Ted McGinley McGinley hopped aboard the "Love Boat" in 1984 playing photographer Ashley "Ace" Covington Evans. Before that, he played Roger Phillips on "Happy Days" and appeared in the film "Revenge of the Nerds." (AP)![TedMcGinleyNow]()
Now: Ted McGinley Ted has been on several hit shows since "Love Boat" was canceled. First, he joined the cast of "Dynasty," playing Clay Fallmont. Then he was Jefferson D'Arcy on "Married…With Children" from 1990-1997, and then Charley Shanowski on "Hope & Faith" from 2003-2006. He competed on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2008 and has since appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place" and ABC Family's "Melissa and Joey." (Reuters)![LoveBoat1]()
The Pacific Princess Princess Cruises "Pacific Princess", the original "Love Boat", was initally called "Sea Venture" before being sold in 1975 from Flagship Cruises to Princess. In 1977, she made her debut on the new series and was featured in almost every single episode, despite most scenes being filmed on a sound stage. In the 1990s, long after the show was canceled, "Pacific Princess" was impounded by police in Greece after drugs were found on board. According to some reports, the ship had become a major tool for drug smugglers in the Mediterranean. She made her final voyage in 2002, sailing from New York City to Rome. In 2013, the boat was sold to a Turkish scrap yard for its metal and parts. (AP)Then/Now: The cast of 'The Love Boat'
Love, exciting and new. Come aboard, we're expecting yoooooouuuu
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