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This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life
The remarkable life, career, and faith journey of Gavin MacLeod, the beloved star of The Love Boat and The Mary Tyler Moore Show . For 16 years, millions of Americans welcomed Gavin MacLeod into their living rooms every Saturday night. This veteran of stage and screen transformed himself from a seasoned character actor into the leading, lovable father-figure of Captain Merrill Stubing in The Love Boat at the height of TV’s boom years. From his humble theatrical beginnings in upstate New York to Radio City Music Hall and on to Hollywood, Gavin MacLeod was on the fast track to success. However, a few hard life lessons—like dealing with a divorce—taught him that the key to happiness can only be found through a deep faith in God, and he feels his work for Christ is more important than any award. The consummate storyteller, Gavin shares his fondest memories of meeting and working with countless stars, such as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, Gregory Peck, Bette Davis, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, Milton Berle, and Fred Astaire. In This Is Your Captain Speaking, Gavin A nostalgic look back at the golden era of American television, This is Your Captain Speaking will take readers on an uplifting and inspiring journey into the life of one of TV’s most beloved actors. Praise for This Is Your Captain “Gavin epitomizes the old-fashioned concept of a gentleman. He is a loving, generous, and authentic seeker of God’s truth. His life story speaks for itself.”— Kathie Lee Gifford
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2013
23 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Gavin MacLeod
9 books9 followersGavin MacLeod (born Allan George See, February 28, 1931) was an American character actor, mayor and ship's ambassador, who in his six decades of television is notable for playing Joseph "Happy" Haines on McHale's Navy, Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and for his lead role as Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat. He is the stepfather of Drew Steele, of the rock band the Surf Punks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I’m part of the cult of ‘Love Boat’. I’ve signed up for Paramount Plus and the only show I watch on it is the ‘Love Boat’. I just love it and it’s in high definition well worth the 10 dollars a month.
I love watching the famous actors who are mostly forgotten by today’s young and for whom I am familiar with almost all of them. I love the plots of the show, because almost always they end happy and it is anything but nonsense to me.
This book had that same feel to it as the ‘Love Boat’ did. I’ll bet the Captain dropped 150 or maybe 300 names of stars and I knew everyone of them. Watching reruns of the ‘Love Boat’ just makes me feel good, this book did the same thing for me. I just get the feeling that Gavin Macleod idealized those stars from that forgotten era as much as I still do to this day.
I loved his Bette Davis story. I loved all the name dropping. I’m going to watch ‘The Night of the 100 Stars’ available on Youtube, a show from 1982 that Gavin Macleod mentions favorably in this book. I just love those old stars. I can’t really name more than a dozen or so of the more modern movie stars, but I probably will know every one of the stars featured in that show.
I’m in the cult of ‘Love Boat’, and I really had no idea about Gavin Macleod’s life of faith. I always enjoy reading a sincere profession of a person’s personal belief even when it doesn’t connect with me whatsoever. My only real disagreement I had around his faith is when Gavin Macleod made a statement that on his religious TV show he had ‘a homosexual’ featured and was glad that he converted back to being straight. He clearly thought of homosexuality as a sin, or as he mentioned his wife explained to him that sin was another word for ‘mistake’. So, using his formulation being gay would be a mistake. I think that’s nonsense, but that kind of thinking is slowly going by the wayside.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book since I am a member of one cult, namely, the ‘Love Boat Cult’, and for lovers of the old movies and old TV shows the juicy tidbits in this book are fun to read about. Gavin Macleod gives enough about his live so that I felt like he was a real person. Biographies are a real challenge, since we really don’t have a narrative as we are living life, but an author needs to make one up as he writes his story. For Gavin Macleod he focuses on his faith and the more interesting part for me the great actors that he worked with during his life and his love for show business.
I love watching the famous actors who are mostly forgotten by today’s young and for whom I am familiar with almost all of them. I love the plots of the show, because almost always they end happy and it is anything but nonsense to me.
This book had that same feel to it as the ‘Love Boat’ did. I’ll bet the Captain dropped 150 or maybe 300 names of stars and I knew everyone of them. Watching reruns of the ‘Love Boat’ just makes me feel good, this book did the same thing for me. I just get the feeling that Gavin Macleod idealized those stars from that forgotten era as much as I still do to this day.
I loved his Bette Davis story. I loved all the name dropping. I’m going to watch ‘The Night of the 100 Stars’ available on Youtube, a show from 1982 that Gavin Macleod mentions favorably in this book. I just love those old stars. I can’t really name more than a dozen or so of the more modern movie stars, but I probably will know every one of the stars featured in that show.
I’m in the cult of ‘Love Boat’, and I really had no idea about Gavin Macleod’s life of faith. I always enjoy reading a sincere profession of a person’s personal belief even when it doesn’t connect with me whatsoever. My only real disagreement I had around his faith is when Gavin Macleod made a statement that on his religious TV show he had ‘a homosexual’ featured and was glad that he converted back to being straight. He clearly thought of homosexuality as a sin, or as he mentioned his wife explained to him that sin was another word for ‘mistake’. So, using his formulation being gay would be a mistake. I think that’s nonsense, but that kind of thinking is slowly going by the wayside.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book since I am a member of one cult, namely, the ‘Love Boat Cult’, and for lovers of the old movies and old TV shows the juicy tidbits in this book are fun to read about. Gavin Macleod gives enough about his live so that I felt like he was a real person. Biographies are a real challenge, since we really don’t have a narrative as we are living life, but an author needs to make one up as he writes his story. For Gavin Macleod he focuses on his faith and the more interesting part for me the great actors that he worked with during his life and his love for show business.
May 6, 2017
This book is a very enjoyable read, especially for fans of the Mary Tyler Moore show and/or Love Boat who don't mind some conversation about Christianity. It is always fascinating to me to read about the lives of the famous. Sometimes, the people behind the public personae end up disappointment me with shallowness and self-obsession. Other times, I find they have a trait I did not expect. Almost always, their backgrounds and path to success surprise me in some way.
In the case of Gavin MacLeod, I was surprised by his humble spirit and how he credited some combination of God and luck for the way so many things came together in his life. Ultimately, he did realize that he himself was part of his own success! Modestly, he said it was all about tenaciously hanging on to his dream and not giving up where others would. But of course, the man has a large degree of talent.
Hard not to give 4-stars or better to this book despite the fact that it may not reflect the world's best writing. Gavin MacLeod is as "relatable" as the TV characters I know him for.
In the case of Gavin MacLeod, I was surprised by his humble spirit and how he credited some combination of God and luck for the way so many things came together in his life. Ultimately, he did realize that he himself was part of his own success! Modestly, he said it was all about tenaciously hanging on to his dream and not giving up where others would. But of course, the man has a large degree of talent.
Hard not to give 4-stars or better to this book despite the fact that it may not reflect the world's best writing. Gavin MacLeod is as "relatable" as the TV characters I know him for.
January 27, 2022
Super fun and upbeat audiobook by Captain Stubing! If you don't know who Gavin MacLeod is, I am not sure if this would be your thing, but I enjoyed it.
June 28, 2020
Overall I enjoyed this biography--there is a good balance between being positive and saying kind things but also pointing out some of the less than stellar things that happened, and I thing this book strikes that. But there are a few too many exclamations points! However, not overwhelming and not enough to make me cast aside this book in horror.
I did watch episodes of this show during the first season of Love Boat, or at least if I happened to be home those nights. I was old enough to be out many times on those nights. I did see reruns of the Mary Tyler Moore show, and perhaps even some of them when they aired since it went until right before Love Boat started (within a few months). That and Fantasy Island (It's a plane! It's a plane!) started on the same night and I think they were on the same station.
What I hadn't known is that MacLeod started out in live theatre, or any of the rest of the things about his life (or even that he changed his name because the one he was born with was holding him back for reasons you have to read in the book, not because it was a bad name), because he was older than my dad and so obviously not that cool to people in my age bracket. I didn't follow any of their lives. Once I turned 13 and got over my boy-singer phase, I didn't follow any stars that closely.
I did watch episodes of this show during the first season of Love Boat, or at least if I happened to be home those nights. I was old enough to be out many times on those nights. I did see reruns of the Mary Tyler Moore show, and perhaps even some of them when they aired since it went until right before Love Boat started (within a few months). That and Fantasy Island (It's a plane! It's a plane!) started on the same night and I think they were on the same station.
What I hadn't known is that MacLeod started out in live theatre, or any of the rest of the things about his life (or even that he changed his name because the one he was born with was holding him back for reasons you have to read in the book, not because it was a bad name), because he was older than my dad and so obviously not that cool to people in my age bracket. I didn't follow any of their lives. Once I turned 13 and got over my boy-singer phase, I didn't follow any stars that closely.
February 7, 2025
Without saying too much for fear of argument, I liked this book when I began reading it but grew to dislike it as it went.
December 4, 2013
You can learn a lot from reading about another person’s life. I suppose this is the key reason I enjoy reading biographies of interesting people. However, I think an autobiography is even better because you get a person’s experiences & insights directly from him, rather than risk the errors that could appear in the research of the most careful biographer. An even better situation is if you can get the autobiography in the person’s own voice. Going beyond a telling of the literal facts, someone relating his own stories will add emphasis, drama, comedy and emotion in ways that another narrator will miss. The stories really come to life because he lived it.
This is one of many reasons that makes Gavin’s book special. If you purchase the audiobook version you will hear his first-hand stories that make up his fascinating life in his own recognizable and appealing voice... and you quickly connect with him on what impacted his life on a deeper level.
I can conclusively say that Gavin’s book was the best autobiography / biography that I have read. Once I started, I found it difficult to stop, and that’s always a sign of a good book. Gavin pulls you into his life story and you want to see how he eventually arrived to the parts of his life that are familiar to us.
I won’t provide a summary of Gavin’s life history as you can get this from other reviewers or Internet sites. You may already know that his life story is connected with many well-known people and events in entertainment history, and this is an enjoyable part of his book.
But what I found much more interesting in the book are the “life lessons” that Gavin wants to share with his readers that he has learned from his own experiences. He shares many in the book, and they naturally emerge as he relates his experiences. Like all of us, Gavin has high and low points in his life. In his book he reflects on these joys and regrets, and clearly Gavin desires that other people learn from them.
You also quickly pick up from his book that Gavin loves people, and that people are very important to him. He expresses a lot of delight in connecting with others, and he desires that he connect with you, the reader, as well.
While I saw & enjoyed the movie Timechanger , I missed his movie The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry . From this book I realize I’ve missed a great movie. I will have to get it!
Lastly – I found the book both entertaining and inspiring. The book will take you beyond knowing Gavin as an actor and stage performer, and you will get to know him as a person.
This is one of many reasons that makes Gavin’s book special. If you purchase the audiobook version you will hear his first-hand stories that make up his fascinating life in his own recognizable and appealing voice... and you quickly connect with him on what impacted his life on a deeper level.
I can conclusively say that Gavin’s book was the best autobiography / biography that I have read. Once I started, I found it difficult to stop, and that’s always a sign of a good book. Gavin pulls you into his life story and you want to see how he eventually arrived to the parts of his life that are familiar to us.
I won’t provide a summary of Gavin’s life history as you can get this from other reviewers or Internet sites. You may already know that his life story is connected with many well-known people and events in entertainment history, and this is an enjoyable part of his book.
But what I found much more interesting in the book are the “life lessons” that Gavin wants to share with his readers that he has learned from his own experiences. He shares many in the book, and they naturally emerge as he relates his experiences. Like all of us, Gavin has high and low points in his life. In his book he reflects on these joys and regrets, and clearly Gavin desires that other people learn from them.
You also quickly pick up from his book that Gavin loves people, and that people are very important to him. He expresses a lot of delight in connecting with others, and he desires that he connect with you, the reader, as well.
While I saw & enjoyed the movie Timechanger , I missed his movie The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry . From this book I realize I’ve missed a great movie. I will have to get it!
Lastly – I found the book both entertaining and inspiring. The book will take you beyond knowing Gavin as an actor and stage performer, and you will get to know him as a person.
April 13, 2014
First of all, I know that in some way, it makes no sense that I would adore this book as much as I do. I am "too young" to know about the majority of the Hollywood stars discussed within this book. Again, I do not fit the bill--I know more about "old Hollywood" than I do "new Hollywood." And I have memories of my mom watching "Love Boat" as I was growing up. In case you didn't guess it, those memories were not fond. I was quite young, and I endured those shows. Permit me to say that following the reading of this book, I wish to sit down and watch the entire series start to finish!
This amazing memoir was one of the best I had read in a while. I grew up reading Hollywood biographies and autobiographies, and this is the pinnacle, as far as I am concerned. Practically no profanity (yes, he says one word twice that is an actual quote that does not constitute profanity, as far as I am concerned). It was a shock to me when I discovered that I had seen this actor in many things throughout the years without realizing it was he! I loved "High Times" with Bing Crosby, and I never would have guessed that he was the professor who danced with Crosby! I felt like I stepped back in time, and the multitude of stories was a real treat for me to read.
Notwithstanding, the purpose of this book is for Gavin MacLeod to share his personal testimony of Christianity. The story was simple, amazing, and powerful. I was enthralled and practically confounded at the ways in which God worked (and continues to work) in his life. One of his stories truly caused me to well up with emotion, and I have become a super fan of this actor! I suddenly long to rent out every movie and television show he has ever done. I highly recommend this book to all because I believe that everyone can derive some joy, entertainment, and veritable life lessons from some portion(s) of this book.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
This amazing memoir was one of the best I had read in a while. I grew up reading Hollywood biographies and autobiographies, and this is the pinnacle, as far as I am concerned. Practically no profanity (yes, he says one word twice that is an actual quote that does not constitute profanity, as far as I am concerned). It was a shock to me when I discovered that I had seen this actor in many things throughout the years without realizing it was he! I loved "High Times" with Bing Crosby, and I never would have guessed that he was the professor who danced with Crosby! I felt like I stepped back in time, and the multitude of stories was a real treat for me to read.
Notwithstanding, the purpose of this book is for Gavin MacLeod to share his personal testimony of Christianity. The story was simple, amazing, and powerful. I was enthralled and practically confounded at the ways in which God worked (and continues to work) in his life. One of his stories truly caused me to well up with emotion, and I have become a super fan of this actor! I suddenly long to rent out every movie and television show he has ever done. I highly recommend this book to all because I believe that everyone can derive some joy, entertainment, and veritable life lessons from some portion(s) of this book.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
December 4, 2018
Love love love this man. While I know him more as Murray from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, many may be more familiar with Gavin MacLeod's work as the captain on The Love Boat. Either way, he was and still is a talented actor and an even better man. His story is incredibly inspiring and he tells it in the most humble way. I also hear that he voices the audio version so I might have to look into that; his warm heart and cheery personality already shine through the words, how much better would it be to hear his endearing voice?
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I gave this book 3 stars because toward the end, the story began to drag. He did a ton of name-dropping in a few consecutive chapters, and that got old - even while I loved hearing all the stories he had to tell. But overall, a highly enjoyable read - especially learning about his upbringing and "rise to fame."
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I gave this book 3 stars because toward the end, the story began to drag. He did a ton of name-dropping in a few consecutive chapters, and that got old - even while I loved hearing all the stories he had to tell. But overall, a highly enjoyable read - especially learning about his upbringing and "rise to fame."
January 9, 2024
I loved this book! I grew up watching The Love Boat and him as Captain Stubing. It’s cheesy. It’s predictable. I love it! I also enjoyed his performance in Kelly’s Heroes. That entire cast is amazing.
I was thrilled with how open he was about accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior. He boasted in Christ, and it was so refreshing to read. I am so glad he was able to lead friends and others to a saving relationship with Christ. What a testimony! I look forward to meeting him one day in Heaven.
I was thrilled with how open he was about accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior. He boasted in Christ, and it was so refreshing to read. I am so glad he was able to lead friends and others to a saving relationship with Christ. What a testimony! I look forward to meeting him one day in Heaven.
May 3, 2014
If you're left-leaning and/or irreligious, do yourself a favor and skip the last few chapters. When he starts to talk a little too much about Ronald Reagan, that's the point at which you need to stop. (Even though you'll miss a pretty funny anecdote about Bette Davis.)
I'll cut Mr. MacLeod a whole bunch of slack, though, because I've derived hundreds of hours of pleasure from his screen work. He's so upbeat and positive about everything and everyone that it would be like kicking a puppy to complain about the first three-quarters of the book. There’s plenty of name-dropping, and I really enjoyed hearing about the early years of his career, in particular his knack of securing repeat guest starring roles on many series, playing one character with hair, and one without.
December 11, 2018
After reading a long, depressing book about child abuse (A DEATH IN WHITE BEAR LAKE), I needed something light so I went with this memoir. I never saw a single episode of THE LOVE BOAT, but I remembered Gavin McLeod from McHALE'S NAVY and MARY TYLER MOORE. To be honest, I never thought much of his acting but here he comes across as a likable and grateful person. It was a fast read and for once I didn't like a celebrity LESS after reading their memoir.
September 9, 2018
Very sweet.
March 4, 2024
An enjoyable audiobook
October 11, 2020
This book definitely made me want to go back and watch some of my old favorite TV shows. I enjoyed reading about Gavin MacLeod and his growth as a Christian. I found the continual listing of names that Gavin worked with overwhelming at times.
October 8, 2018
Gavin has co-written a good account of his life and faith.comes across as a nice guy who has had to fight off his inner demons to get where he is today.nothing salacious otherwise that would have gone against his Christian principles.i am of an age to remember the golden age of tv with the love boat one of many good programmes to enjoy.it has also proved to me in his last couple of chapters you do not have to have money or material possessions to reaffirm your belief in God.well worth reading.
September 23, 2020
I have always been a fan of Gavin MacLeod from both McHale's Navy and The Love Boat. This autobiography takes the reader from his poor childhood that included his father's death when he was 13 to his present life. As with all actors and actresses, MacLeod's life was full of ups and downs both in marriages and his career. But the many wonderful friendships he developed with other well known stars helped him through the bumps. The biggest thing that changed his life though was when he came to know Christ as his personal savior. The peace he'd been missing all of his life now helped him as his acting career ended and other vistas, such as Ambassador for Princess Cruises and a broadcast program with his wife, Patty, on Trinity Broadcast Network opened to him.
A easy, enjoyable read with many humorous moments.
A easy, enjoyable read with many humorous moments.
November 14, 2013
This is the life story of Gavin MacLeod. His story begins with his first performance on stage. He was a preschooler in a family of very modest means. Gavin's Dad passed away when he was only thirteen. He talks about how that affected his life, as well as, his brother's life who is two years younger. His life story traces his acting career from its humble beginnings to becoming a well-known face in America's living rooms.
He was on two long run series: "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Love Boat." These shows brought him much fame, and riches. As "Love Boat" ended, it spawned a multi-decade career for Gavin as a representative for Princess Cruises.
He has been married twice--or three times depending on how you count it--because he married, divorced and remarried his second wife, Patti. He had four children with his first wife, Rootie.
When his mother was gravely ill, Gavin prayed to Jesus and said if his mother's life was sparred, Gavin would serve Him for the rest of his life. His mother did survive. Suddenly Gavin was overwhelmed with the notion to call his ex-wife Patti. This was shocking since, he had not communicated with her at all since their divorce.
Unbeknownst to Gavin, Patti had become a born again Christian. She and friends had been praying for a long time for Gavin to become a Christian, and for their marriage to be restored. When Gavin met Patti he knew right away she was different, and he wanted that, too. When he found out it was Christianity, he immediately became a follower of Christ. Later Gavin and Patti remarried.
Gavin states since becoming a Christian, everything has changed for him. Life is better, and marriage is better. Evidence of that is that his second marriage to Patti has been going strong for 28 years. Gavin gives all the credit to Jesus Christ.
He has led a very interesting life. As an actor, he rubbed shoulders with many famous people, including Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Cary Grant. He has traveled the world.
Of all the movies, shows and parts he has played, the work he wants to be known for is the movie, “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.” Not only did he enjoy the part he played in it, he is overjoyed by the number of people's lives who have been changed by it. Now in his early 80's, Gavin recently said he has retired as an actor. However, he still tries to make it to as many showings of "Jonathan Sperry" as he can.
He wants to be known as an actor, and as a Christian activist.
This book was very engrossing, and interesting to read. I enjoyed learning about Gavin's life. I was really touched by the love he has for his children, Patti and Jesus. When he became a follower of Christ, he genuinely meant it, and his life changed from that point forward. After that life altering event, he was convicted to ask his first wife for forgiveness, and he relates his joy on receiving it. The book is easy to read and has some great pictures. If you want to be inspired and entertained, check it out. This book gets five stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2013/1...
Author's website: http://www.gavinmacleod.com/
Author's facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GavinMacLeod...
He was on two long run series: "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Love Boat." These shows brought him much fame, and riches. As "Love Boat" ended, it spawned a multi-decade career for Gavin as a representative for Princess Cruises.
He has been married twice--or three times depending on how you count it--because he married, divorced and remarried his second wife, Patti. He had four children with his first wife, Rootie.
When his mother was gravely ill, Gavin prayed to Jesus and said if his mother's life was sparred, Gavin would serve Him for the rest of his life. His mother did survive. Suddenly Gavin was overwhelmed with the notion to call his ex-wife Patti. This was shocking since, he had not communicated with her at all since their divorce.
Unbeknownst to Gavin, Patti had become a born again Christian. She and friends had been praying for a long time for Gavin to become a Christian, and for their marriage to be restored. When Gavin met Patti he knew right away she was different, and he wanted that, too. When he found out it was Christianity, he immediately became a follower of Christ. Later Gavin and Patti remarried.
Gavin states since becoming a Christian, everything has changed for him. Life is better, and marriage is better. Evidence of that is that his second marriage to Patti has been going strong for 28 years. Gavin gives all the credit to Jesus Christ.
He has led a very interesting life. As an actor, he rubbed shoulders with many famous people, including Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Cary Grant. He has traveled the world.
Of all the movies, shows and parts he has played, the work he wants to be known for is the movie, “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.” Not only did he enjoy the part he played in it, he is overjoyed by the number of people's lives who have been changed by it. Now in his early 80's, Gavin recently said he has retired as an actor. However, he still tries to make it to as many showings of "Jonathan Sperry" as he can.
He wants to be known as an actor, and as a Christian activist.
This book was very engrossing, and interesting to read. I enjoyed learning about Gavin's life. I was really touched by the love he has for his children, Patti and Jesus. When he became a follower of Christ, he genuinely meant it, and his life changed from that point forward. After that life altering event, he was convicted to ask his first wife for forgiveness, and he relates his joy on receiving it. The book is easy to read and has some great pictures. If you want to be inspired and entertained, check it out. This book gets five stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2013/1...
Author's website: http://www.gavinmacleod.com/
Author's facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GavinMacLeod...
March 16, 2018
Gavin McLeod was born Allan George See on Feb. 28, 1931. He was raised in Pleasantville, 30 miles north of New York City. He has a younger brother, Ronnie. Their father co-owned a gas station. During the hard times of the depression, Gavin went around town with his dad to collect money from people who hadn’t paid for gas during the week.
Gavin was overweight as a kid and earned the nickname “Tubber.” His brother was also overweight and received the nickname “Tubber2.”
Gavin’s mother raised him and his brother in the Catholic faith. Their father attended the Episcopalian Church.
When Gavin was four, he acted in a pre-school play. The first time he heard applause, he was hooked.
In high school, Gavin played football for a short time. “One day the coach told two of us kids to really take down the other team’s quarterback. So we did—and we broke the kid’s leg. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like it one bit. I was really upset and I said I wanted to quit, and a lady who was there on the sidelines said, ‘Hey, Allan, why don’t you join the school play instead. They need another boy.’ I jumped at the chance.”
Alcoholism played a large part in Gavin’s family, affecting his father, his mother’s father, and his father’s father. Then, when Gavin was 13, his father died of cancer.
As a senior in high school, Gavin earned a scholarship to Ithaca College to study drama. He went for a couple of years, quit to put an act together, and tried to make it in show biz, but couldn’t find work. He went back to school and graduated. He moved to NYC where a friend got him a job at Radio City Music Hall.
Money was very tight, but Gavin did have some exciting moments. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz rode the elevator he was operating one day. He couldn’t believe he was in the company of such stars!
Gavin’s problem in NYC was that he couldn’t get an agent because he had gone bald after college and in NYC there wasn’t much call for young bald actors. Eventually Gavin got a $600 hairpiece for $125. After that he got work. He also attracted the attention of one of the Rockettes whom he eventually married.
Hollywood was the next step. Gavin got an agent quickly and worked right away. His ability to play bald or with the hairpiece was an asset because he could play two different character types. He and his wife moved from NY to Hollywood in 1957. By the 1960’s Gavin had become a drinker, which adversely affected his marriage. He and his wife had two daughters, one in 1964 and another in 1965. He auditioned for the part of Archie Bunker but he didn’t like the character or script and was glad the part went to Carroll O’Connor.
From 1970-1977 Gavin played Murray Slaughter on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Ted Knight (aka Ted Baxter) was an old friend whom Gavin was pleased to act with on the show. In 1973 Gavin divorced his first wife and in 1974 he married Patti Steele who was also divorced and in show business. Gavin quit drinking. He and Patti explored New Age Spirituality.
After the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Gavin was cast in the part of Captain on The Love Boat. Gavin preferred live theater. Aaron spelling shot around Gavin’s theater schedule so he could do both the series TV show and plays. In the summer of 1981 his marriage to Patti began to fall apart. Gavin was working all the time. After their divorce Gavin didn’t call Patti for three years.
In September 1984, Gavin’s mother had a cyst in her brain. Gavin realized his non-stop work and his New Age Spirituality couldn’t put him in control of her health problem. He prayed for the first time in many years. “Jesus, if you give my mother more time, I’ll turn my life over to you. I don’t care if I act anymore. Just give my mother more time.” His mother survived the surgery and Gavin gradually became a devoted Christian.
Soon after that prayer, Gavin visited Patti. She said she had been “born again,” and explained what it meant.
“At the age of 52, I was starting over—with Patti at my side—determined to make the most of every bit of this gift I had been given.”
Gavin and Patti remarried in June 1985.
In Spring 1986 Love Boat finished its last show. Shortly after, Gavin became spokesperson for Princess Cruises.
Gavin and Patti became hosts on Trinity Broadcast Network of a show called “Back on Course.” It was an interview show about couples and individuals who had overcome extraordinary troubles in life with the help of Jesus. They did the show for 17 years.
Afterward, Gavin continued doing plays and being spokesperson for Princess Cruises. Then he got a part in a Christian film released in 2002 called Time Changer. In 2008, he was asked to do another Christian film by the same director – The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. The film was very moving and had given Gavin a role with real purpose – Ambassador for Christ. He soon gave up doing guest roles on TV shows. He was 80 years old. Now, in 2018, he is 87 years old. The last public appearance noted on Wikipedia was the 2015 Rose Parade where he appeared with several members of the Love Boat cast.
The story of Gavin McLeod differs from many biographies of Hollywood stars in that it never disappoints. Through Gavin’s ups and downs, his mistakes and his redemption, the story uplifts the reader and brings a new understanding of the man many only know as Captain of the Love Boat.
Gavin was overweight as a kid and earned the nickname “Tubber.” His brother was also overweight and received the nickname “Tubber2.”
Gavin’s mother raised him and his brother in the Catholic faith. Their father attended the Episcopalian Church.
When Gavin was four, he acted in a pre-school play. The first time he heard applause, he was hooked.
In high school, Gavin played football for a short time. “One day the coach told two of us kids to really take down the other team’s quarterback. So we did—and we broke the kid’s leg. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like it one bit. I was really upset and I said I wanted to quit, and a lady who was there on the sidelines said, ‘Hey, Allan, why don’t you join the school play instead. They need another boy.’ I jumped at the chance.”
Alcoholism played a large part in Gavin’s family, affecting his father, his mother’s father, and his father’s father. Then, when Gavin was 13, his father died of cancer.
As a senior in high school, Gavin earned a scholarship to Ithaca College to study drama. He went for a couple of years, quit to put an act together, and tried to make it in show biz, but couldn’t find work. He went back to school and graduated. He moved to NYC where a friend got him a job at Radio City Music Hall.
Money was very tight, but Gavin did have some exciting moments. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz rode the elevator he was operating one day. He couldn’t believe he was in the company of such stars!
Gavin’s problem in NYC was that he couldn’t get an agent because he had gone bald after college and in NYC there wasn’t much call for young bald actors. Eventually Gavin got a $600 hairpiece for $125. After that he got work. He also attracted the attention of one of the Rockettes whom he eventually married.
Hollywood was the next step. Gavin got an agent quickly and worked right away. His ability to play bald or with the hairpiece was an asset because he could play two different character types. He and his wife moved from NY to Hollywood in 1957. By the 1960’s Gavin had become a drinker, which adversely affected his marriage. He and his wife had two daughters, one in 1964 and another in 1965. He auditioned for the part of Archie Bunker but he didn’t like the character or script and was glad the part went to Carroll O’Connor.
From 1970-1977 Gavin played Murray Slaughter on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Ted Knight (aka Ted Baxter) was an old friend whom Gavin was pleased to act with on the show. In 1973 Gavin divorced his first wife and in 1974 he married Patti Steele who was also divorced and in show business. Gavin quit drinking. He and Patti explored New Age Spirituality.
After the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Gavin was cast in the part of Captain on The Love Boat. Gavin preferred live theater. Aaron spelling shot around Gavin’s theater schedule so he could do both the series TV show and plays. In the summer of 1981 his marriage to Patti began to fall apart. Gavin was working all the time. After their divorce Gavin didn’t call Patti for three years.
In September 1984, Gavin’s mother had a cyst in her brain. Gavin realized his non-stop work and his New Age Spirituality couldn’t put him in control of her health problem. He prayed for the first time in many years. “Jesus, if you give my mother more time, I’ll turn my life over to you. I don’t care if I act anymore. Just give my mother more time.” His mother survived the surgery and Gavin gradually became a devoted Christian.
Soon after that prayer, Gavin visited Patti. She said she had been “born again,” and explained what it meant.
“At the age of 52, I was starting over—with Patti at my side—determined to make the most of every bit of this gift I had been given.”
Gavin and Patti remarried in June 1985.
In Spring 1986 Love Boat finished its last show. Shortly after, Gavin became spokesperson for Princess Cruises.
Gavin and Patti became hosts on Trinity Broadcast Network of a show called “Back on Course.” It was an interview show about couples and individuals who had overcome extraordinary troubles in life with the help of Jesus. They did the show for 17 years.
Afterward, Gavin continued doing plays and being spokesperson for Princess Cruises. Then he got a part in a Christian film released in 2002 called Time Changer. In 2008, he was asked to do another Christian film by the same director – The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. The film was very moving and had given Gavin a role with real purpose – Ambassador for Christ. He soon gave up doing guest roles on TV shows. He was 80 years old. Now, in 2018, he is 87 years old. The last public appearance noted on Wikipedia was the 2015 Rose Parade where he appeared with several members of the Love Boat cast.
The story of Gavin McLeod differs from many biographies of Hollywood stars in that it never disappoints. Through Gavin’s ups and downs, his mistakes and his redemption, the story uplifts the reader and brings a new understanding of the man many only know as Captain of the Love Boat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2015
What a career Gavin has had over the years. Fun to hear about, along with his Christian walk later in life.
June 23, 2025
This book is two things: a Hollywood memoir and a testimony of faith.
As a Hollywood memoir, it is great fun. Gavin MacLeod worked with just about everybody and had plenty of fun stories to tell, especially about his days on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Murray Slaughter and The Love Boat as Captain Stubing. I'd say he drops at least a couple of hundred names of classic entertainers as he reminisces. Many of the stories are humorous. None of them are intended to hurt. Gavin seems to have taken the attitude that says, "If I don't have anything good to say about somebody, I won't say anything at all." That was okay by me, but I'm sure some readers will be disappointed at the lack of dirt.
I especially enjoyed Gavin's anecdotes about his on-again/off-again hairpiece. When his agent called and told him he had an audition he needed to get to right away, Gavin would ask, "Should I take my hair?" It turns out that Gavin's baldness was a great help to his career.
Also, I was floored when I learned that Gavin came within an eyelash of being Archie Bunker. He read for the part and it was a toss-up between him and Carroll O'Connor. O'Connor won out in the end, but it's crazy to imagine what the show would have been like with Gavin in the iconic role.
Another showbiz fact I didn't know is that Gavin's first love was musical theater, Throughout the book he talks about his passion for it and tells stories about the many shows he was in, including playing Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man.
As I said, the book is also a testimony of faith. Gavin, who lived a largely empty spiritual life, became a Christian during the later years of The Love Boat and dramatically changed. I found this part of his story quite interesting and moving. The story he tells about visiting his long time friend Ted Knight near the end of Ted's life is a tear-jerker. And the story of how he remarried his ex-wife Patti after his conversion to Christianity put a lump in my throat as well.
I don't suppose this book is one of the all-time great memoirs, but I sure did enjoy it. I recommend it, especially if you're a fan of the Mary Tyler Moore Show or The Love Boat. Stories and anecdotes about those shows take up about half the book.
As a Hollywood memoir, it is great fun. Gavin MacLeod worked with just about everybody and had plenty of fun stories to tell, especially about his days on The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Murray Slaughter and The Love Boat as Captain Stubing. I'd say he drops at least a couple of hundred names of classic entertainers as he reminisces. Many of the stories are humorous. None of them are intended to hurt. Gavin seems to have taken the attitude that says, "If I don't have anything good to say about somebody, I won't say anything at all." That was okay by me, but I'm sure some readers will be disappointed at the lack of dirt.
I especially enjoyed Gavin's anecdotes about his on-again/off-again hairpiece. When his agent called and told him he had an audition he needed to get to right away, Gavin would ask, "Should I take my hair?" It turns out that Gavin's baldness was a great help to his career.
Also, I was floored when I learned that Gavin came within an eyelash of being Archie Bunker. He read for the part and it was a toss-up between him and Carroll O'Connor. O'Connor won out in the end, but it's crazy to imagine what the show would have been like with Gavin in the iconic role.
Another showbiz fact I didn't know is that Gavin's first love was musical theater, Throughout the book he talks about his passion for it and tells stories about the many shows he was in, including playing Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man.
As I said, the book is also a testimony of faith. Gavin, who lived a largely empty spiritual life, became a Christian during the later years of The Love Boat and dramatically changed. I found this part of his story quite interesting and moving. The story he tells about visiting his long time friend Ted Knight near the end of Ted's life is a tear-jerker. And the story of how he remarried his ex-wife Patti after his conversion to Christianity put a lump in my throat as well.
I don't suppose this book is one of the all-time great memoirs, but I sure did enjoy it. I recommend it, especially if you're a fan of the Mary Tyler Moore Show or The Love Boat. Stories and anecdotes about those shows take up about half the book.
Read
November 11, 2013Leona
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
Posted: 10 Nov 2013 12:06 PM PST
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
By Gavin MacLeod, with Mark Dagostino
From booksneeze.com:
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
By Gavin MacLeod, with Mark Dagostino
Published by Thomas Nelson
The remarkable life, career, and faith journey of the star of The Love Boat and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
For 16 years, millions of Americans welcomed Gavin MacLeod into their living rooms every Saturday night. This veteran of stage and screen transformed himself from a seasoned character actor into the leading, lovable father-figure of The Love Boat at the height of TV’s boom years.
For more than 30 years, Gavin MacLeod has served as the global ambassador for Princess Cruises. Speaking to thousands of travelers each year, and signing hundreds of autographs at every port, he stands poised to celebrate his amazing journey with a look back at the golden era of American television.
The consummate storyteller, Gavin shares his fondest memories of meeting and working with countless stars, such as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, Gregory Peck, Bette Davis, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, Milton Berle, and Fred Astaire.
From his humble theatrical beginnings in upstate New York, to Radio City Music Hall and on to Hollywood, Gavin MacLeod was on the fast track to success. However, a few hard life lessons—like dealing with a divorce—taught Gavin that the key to happiness was only through a deep faith in God, and he feels his work for Christ is more important than any award. Three years later his remarriage proved that a great struggle can culminate in a happy ending.
Leona's review:
This Is Your Captain Speaking drew my attention as a travel professional who specializes in cruises. I have seen Gavin MacLeod at some cruise conferences when he represented Princess Cruise Lines. I even had my picture taken with him and yes, he did have that big smile.
This is an autobiography of a man that "made it after all".
I learned a lot about the man we watched on the Mary Tyler Moore and The Love Boat. I now need to watch for him in his movies.
This is also a book about how God has affected the life of Gavin MacLeod and what and why. Many life experiences led this man to become closer to God and Jesus. He seems to have made friends with many people of many different opinions. Lots of sad times and some hard lessons of life he had to learn. One of the most touching moments was when he lost his good friend Ted Knight, whom we came to know as Ted Baxter on the Mary Tyler Show.
I have taken just a touch of what is in each chapter. There are so many names I cannot name all of them and so many movies and TV shows he was in; with and without his hair. Brings back so many memories.
The pictures in the book are wonderful and help make the story.
On the first pages of the book: Praise for This is Your Captain Speaking are comments by Marion Ross, Dr. Jack W, Hayford, Nancy Sinatra, Julie Benson, Mike Huckabee, Pat Boone, Kathie Lee Gifford, Florence Henderson and John Tinker.
I am giving This is Your Captain Speaking, My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life a 4 star rating. I received a complimentary copy from booksneeze.com to read and review. The opinions are my own.
Published by W Publishing Group, an Imprint of Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
The dedication page reads "This book is dedicated to the Captain of my life, who came that I might have life and have it more abundantly."
Preface: One Door Closes
Fired by Hal March (page xiv)
Chapters:
Chapter 1: Pleasantville.
A chapter about his young life. Born with the name Allan George See in Mount Kisco, New York. (page 2)
Chapter 2: Life Goes On
Death of his father. (page 13) Professor in college by name of Beatrice MacLeod. (page 20)
Chapter 3: The big Apple
Buys his first hairpiece. (page 28)
Chapter 4: Broadway, Baby!
Loved A Hatful of rain with Ben Gazzara, Anthony Franciosa and Shelly Winter is 1956. (page 39)
Chapter 5: Hurray for Hollywood
First steady TV gig at Desilu Productions. (page 50)
Chapter 6: The Elevator Goes Up
Sees Adolphe Menjou and Herbert Marshall at the unemployment office. (page 55)
Chapter 7: Connections
Meets Gregory Peck who had been a men's underwear model for the Sears and Roebuck catalog. (page 62)
Chapter 8: Glorified
McHale's Navy show. (page 70)
Chapter 9: Half-Full
Gavin MacLeod's fall from a horse. (page 87)
Chapter 10: You're Gonna Make It After All
Mary Tyler Show. (page 94)
Chapter 11: Love Is All Around
Problems with marriage to Rootie. (page 106)
Chapter 12: Chuckles
Murray in the Mary Tyler Show. (page 112)
Chapter 13: Learning to Quit
Drinking is a big problem. (page 121)
Chapter 14: The Fame Game
Buys home for mother. (page 127)
Chapter 15: Climb Aboard
The Love Boat. (page 132)
Chapter 16: Shipmates
Love Boat Follies with Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Ann Miller, Della Reese, Van Johnson and Cab Calloway. (page 144)
Chapter 17: My Crew
" I was so blessed to spend all those years with that brilliant cast. We really became an extended family to one another..." (page 157)
Chapter 18: Seeing Stars
Ronald Reagan. (page 163)
Chapter 19: Man Overboard
Divorce from Patti. (page 182)
Chapter 20: The Life Boat
Prayed to Jesus and called Patti. (page 189)
Chapter 21: Moving On
Patti and Gavin remarry. (page 199)
Chapter 22: Back in Port
A life focused on family and God. (page 212). Beginning with Princess Cruises. (page 212)
Chapter 23: The Sea's Highs
Princess's ships. (page 224) Gavin has bypass on Good Friday (page 224)
Chapter 24: New Callings
Trinity Broadcasting Network. (page 232)
Chapter 25: Not So Gracefully
"Getting older is no picnic, let me tell you" (page 239)
Chapter 26: Enjoying the Blessings
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry movie. (page 245)
Acknowledgements
"This book would not have been possible without the support of a whole bunch of incredibly talented people.." (page 255)
Photo Credits
There is a list of the photos on pages 259 and 260.
About the Authors
Gavin MacLeod and Mark Dagostino
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
You are subscribed to email updates from Leona's Reviews
To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
Posted: 10 Nov 2013 12:06 PM PST
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
By Gavin MacLeod, with Mark Dagostino
From booksneeze.com:
This Is Your Captain Speaking My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life
By Gavin MacLeod, with Mark Dagostino
Published by Thomas Nelson
The remarkable life, career, and faith journey of the star of The Love Boat and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
For 16 years, millions of Americans welcomed Gavin MacLeod into their living rooms every Saturday night. This veteran of stage and screen transformed himself from a seasoned character actor into the leading, lovable father-figure of The Love Boat at the height of TV’s boom years.
For more than 30 years, Gavin MacLeod has served as the global ambassador for Princess Cruises. Speaking to thousands of travelers each year, and signing hundreds of autographs at every port, he stands poised to celebrate his amazing journey with a look back at the golden era of American television.
The consummate storyteller, Gavin shares his fondest memories of meeting and working with countless stars, such as Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, Gregory Peck, Bette Davis, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, Ronald Reagan, Milton Berle, and Fred Astaire.
From his humble theatrical beginnings in upstate New York, to Radio City Music Hall and on to Hollywood, Gavin MacLeod was on the fast track to success. However, a few hard life lessons—like dealing with a divorce—taught Gavin that the key to happiness was only through a deep faith in God, and he feels his work for Christ is more important than any award. Three years later his remarriage proved that a great struggle can culminate in a happy ending.
Leona's review:
This Is Your Captain Speaking drew my attention as a travel professional who specializes in cruises. I have seen Gavin MacLeod at some cruise conferences when he represented Princess Cruise Lines. I even had my picture taken with him and yes, he did have that big smile.
This is an autobiography of a man that "made it after all".
I learned a lot about the man we watched on the Mary Tyler Moore and The Love Boat. I now need to watch for him in his movies.
This is also a book about how God has affected the life of Gavin MacLeod and what and why. Many life experiences led this man to become closer to God and Jesus. He seems to have made friends with many people of many different opinions. Lots of sad times and some hard lessons of life he had to learn. One of the most touching moments was when he lost his good friend Ted Knight, whom we came to know as Ted Baxter on the Mary Tyler Show.
I have taken just a touch of what is in each chapter. There are so many names I cannot name all of them and so many movies and TV shows he was in; with and without his hair. Brings back so many memories.
The pictures in the book are wonderful and help make the story.
On the first pages of the book: Praise for This is Your Captain Speaking are comments by Marion Ross, Dr. Jack W, Hayford, Nancy Sinatra, Julie Benson, Mike Huckabee, Pat Boone, Kathie Lee Gifford, Florence Henderson and John Tinker.
I am giving This is Your Captain Speaking, My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith & Life a 4 star rating. I received a complimentary copy from booksneeze.com to read and review. The opinions are my own.
Published by W Publishing Group, an Imprint of Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
The dedication page reads "This book is dedicated to the Captain of my life, who came that I might have life and have it more abundantly."
Preface: One Door Closes
Fired by Hal March (page xiv)
Chapters:
Chapter 1: Pleasantville.
A chapter about his young life. Born with the name Allan George See in Mount Kisco, New York. (page 2)
Chapter 2: Life Goes On
Death of his father. (page 13) Professor in college by name of Beatrice MacLeod. (page 20)
Chapter 3: The big Apple
Buys his first hairpiece. (page 28)
Chapter 4: Broadway, Baby!
Loved A Hatful of rain with Ben Gazzara, Anthony Franciosa and Shelly Winter is 1956. (page 39)
Chapter 5: Hurray for Hollywood
First steady TV gig at Desilu Productions. (page 50)
Chapter 6: The Elevator Goes Up
Sees Adolphe Menjou and Herbert Marshall at the unemployment office. (page 55)
Chapter 7: Connections
Meets Gregory Peck who had been a men's underwear model for the Sears and Roebuck catalog. (page 62)
Chapter 8: Glorified
McHale's Navy show. (page 70)
Chapter 9: Half-Full
Gavin MacLeod's fall from a horse. (page 87)
Chapter 10: You're Gonna Make It After All
Mary Tyler Show. (page 94)
Chapter 11: Love Is All Around
Problems with marriage to Rootie. (page 106)
Chapter 12: Chuckles
Murray in the Mary Tyler Show. (page 112)
Chapter 13: Learning to Quit
Drinking is a big problem. (page 121)
Chapter 14: The Fame Game
Buys home for mother. (page 127)
Chapter 15: Climb Aboard
The Love Boat. (page 132)
Chapter 16: Shipmates
Love Boat Follies with Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Ann Miller, Della Reese, Van Johnson and Cab Calloway. (page 144)
Chapter 17: My Crew
" I was so blessed to spend all those years with that brilliant cast. We really became an extended family to one another..." (page 157)
Chapter 18: Seeing Stars
Ronald Reagan. (page 163)
Chapter 19: Man Overboard
Divorce from Patti. (page 182)
Chapter 20: The Life Boat
Prayed to Jesus and called Patti. (page 189)
Chapter 21: Moving On
Patti and Gavin remarry. (page 199)
Chapter 22: Back in Port
A life focused on family and God. (page 212). Beginning with Princess Cruises. (page 212)
Chapter 23: The Sea's Highs
Princess's ships. (page 224) Gavin has bypass on Good Friday (page 224)
Chapter 24: New Callings
Trinity Broadcasting Network. (page 232)
Chapter 25: Not So Gracefully
"Getting older is no picnic, let me tell you" (page 239)
Chapter 26: Enjoying the Blessings
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry movie. (page 245)
Acknowledgements
"This book would not have been possible without the support of a whole bunch of incredibly talented people.." (page 255)
Photo Credits
There is a list of the photos on pages 259 and 260.
About the Authors
Gavin MacLeod and Mark Dagostino
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
You are subscribed to email updates from Leona's Reviews
To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610
January 28, 2021
For those who are not familiar with Gavin McCleod he is a prolific actor who is best known for Mary Tyler Moore Show and Love Boat. I found the real life actor to be just as likeable as his television characters. He comes across as a gentle, loveable guy who fell along the way and picked himself up and brushed himself off and started over. It was almost but not quite annoying how he can come up with so many adjectives for how wonderful, talented, amazing everyone is that he meets but he truly seems to like almost everyone. The cast of the Mary Tyler Moore show really does appear to be as close in real life as they are on the show. A coincidence maybe, but the day I finished the book was also the day that his co-star on the Mary Tyler Moore show died. Sadly, the book is 8 years old so a lot of the people mentioned in the book have passed on since it was written.
June 10, 2021
I'm not a big fan of Hollywood, especially with what is put out there today as "entertainment". However, I did watch a lot of TV growing up in the 70's and 80's and just became aware of this autobiography from Gavin MacLeod. This book is a lot of fun to read. It's written in a way that makes the reader feel like Gavin is sitting across from you telling his life story. He mentions a lot of the "old Hollywood" actors, and it seems like he worked with just about everybody at some point. Gavin is a nice guy, though, and he's not going to give you a lot of dirt on these other celebrities. Just little glimpses. The book takes an honest look at Gavin's failures and insecurities in life, and how his faith in God helped him through it. Overall, a very uplifting and entertaining read!
April 17, 2022
I never liked The Love Boat myself (and only watched it when I was staying with a family who watched it), but MacLeod's story of his life is very interesting and an enjoyable read. Sometimes toward the end I got a little tired of all the different people he got to be on camera with, especially as I didn't know who a number of them were (I'm not a fan of TV in general, and pay little attention to celebrities). But he gratitude for the opportunities he has had - including being with those people whom he clearly thought it was a privilege to be with - comes across clearly. I had bought the book in part because it says it tells about his faith, but I was somewhat disappointed that he tells so little about what/Whom his faith is in, just about the positive effects of it.
November 3, 2020
I chose "This Is Your Captain Speaking" during the weeks preceding the 2020 Presidential election because I was looking for something "easy breezy" to read. This memoir hit the mark. I do remember watching "The Love Boat" as a young child but didn't realize how many other roles he played. I enjoyed reading about his modest upbringing and all of the fascinating people he has encountered during his 80+ year life. Gavin MacLeod appears to be a very happy go lucky person even though he experienced several struggles throughout his life. If you like reading about actors from the last century, you might enjoy this quick, easy read.
August 8, 2025
Reading another book that we've owned in our personal library for several years.
Growing up with The Love Boat TV show and then starting our cruising experience with Princess Cruises - this is what I associate with Gavin MacLeod the most. I was too young for The Mary Tyler Moore Show timeperiod.
I was most interested in the first 2/3 of the book - Gavin's early show business career (theater/film), MTM and TLB TV shows, and Princess Cruises ambassadorship. The last 1/3 mainly focuses on Patti & Gavin MacLeod's faith endeavors.
3.5 star read - Really enjoyed the anecdotes for The Love Boat/Princess Cruises. Less enamored with the conservative/religious aspects.
Growing up with The Love Boat TV show and then starting our cruising experience with Princess Cruises - this is what I associate with Gavin MacLeod the most. I was too young for The Mary Tyler Moore Show timeperiod.
I was most interested in the first 2/3 of the book - Gavin's early show business career (theater/film), MTM and TLB TV shows, and Princess Cruises ambassadorship. The last 1/3 mainly focuses on Patti & Gavin MacLeod's faith endeavors.
3.5 star read - Really enjoyed the anecdotes for The Love Boat/Princess Cruises. Less enamored with the conservative/religious aspects.
September 17, 2024
As a fan of The Mary Tyler Moore show, I was interested in reading this man's life story. It is very interesting- I had no idea he had so many bad guy roles in movies and TV before being on MTM!
I enjoyed the story, he does start talking about religion in the last few chapters, but doesn't get too preachy about it, and most of it is about his life before that.
I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading about Hollywood actors.
I enjoyed the story, he does start talking about religion in the last few chapters, but doesn't get too preachy about it, and most of it is about his life before that.
I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading about Hollywood actors.
October 31, 2016
An interesting read from the Captain we all know and love. We travel through Gavin's life, hear how he got to where he is today, discover his ups and his downs and also have him inspire us with his faith in God. We also get to know the many people who traveled that path with him. Well done and not too heavy when it comes to talking about faith in our life.
May 14, 2018
If you grew up watch The Mary Tyler Moore Show or The Love Boat then this is a book that you shouldn't miss out on. Gavin talks about the start of his career and then when he retires and EVERYTHING in between. I never realized just how many stars that he worked with. Not only does he talk about his career but he talks about becoming a Born Again Christian and how God used him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews