In the 60's there was Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare.But in the 70's a new doctor was called to medical duty, this time Chad Everett in the leading role of Dr. Joe Gannon on the TV show Medical Center.
Unlike Chamberlain who not too many years ago officially, after many years of speculation, came out as gay, Everett was anything but in fact married to his wife, the late Shelby Grant for 45 years.
So it is that news has been announced by Everett's daughter that he had died Tuesday after a year and a half bout with lung cancer.
For many of us boomers who were in pubescence during the days of Dr. Kildare by the time Dr. Joe Gannon showed up with the full head of 70's hair and short mutton chop sideburns, when he came along many of us were beginning to realize our future destiny and Everett became a heartthrob for many a guy.
Many I'm sure hoped that Everett like other male stars of the 70's and 80's would appear nude in an issue of Playgirl magazine but alas that didn't happen and we had to wonder what beef was under those clothes and to .. ahem .. what extent.
You know you're getting old when the heartthrobs of your youth start passing on, but Chad Everett helped me realize I not only liked the gals but also the guys.
It wasn't long after Medical Center began its run that I never watched TV the same way again.
