Randolph Mantooth, who starred as Johnny Gage, one of the first among newly created firefighter/paramedics in the United States in the early 1970s on the NBC television show EMERGENCY! died Thursday, July 9, 2026 at age 80, at a hospice care facility in Ventura City, California.
According information from his brother, Donald Mantooth, Randolph Mantooth had been “ill for a number of years and kept getting thinner and thinner.”
The main stars of EMERGENCY! were Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe (Roy DeSoto), who portrayed Los Angeles County firefighters that were rescuers and firefighters first, but were convinced to become paramedics in their career with the fire department.
Johnny and Roy worked on Squad 51, a medical and rescue unit of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and worked with the hospital staff at the fictional Rampart General Hospital. Medical staff stars of the show included Robert Fuller, Julie London and Bobby Troup. Other firefighters of the engine company at Station 51 were also key stars.
Before starring on EMERGENCY! Randolph Mantooth portrayed a character named Neil Williams on an episode of Adam-12 in 1971.
Randolph Mantooth frequently appeared at conferences or other events to promote paramedic programs across the United States, or celebrate achievements of paramedic programs.
EMERGENCY! 50! The Show that Saved Your Life (Full length documentary on COZI TV). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Mantooth also worked as a soap opera actor.
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