Kent McCord

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Kent McCord is best known as po­lice officer Jim Reed in the long running NBC TV series ADAM-12. He was raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Baldwin Park. He played football at Baldwin Park High School, Citrus Junior College and the University of Utah.

In 1961, a friend invited Kent to play touch football on a team headed by Ricky Nelson. The opponents were captained by Elvis Presley. Rick and Kent became fast friends and soon Kent was making regular visits to the “Ozzie and Harriet" set to watch the filming of the TV series. From friends, Kent pro­gressed to extra, then one-line parts, and finally to a regular berth on the show as one of Rick's fraternity brothers. At the time he consid­ered acting as just “fun" and decided to accept a football scholarship to the University of Utah.

The following spring, Kent left the university and returned home to marry Cynthia Lee Doty, his high school sweetheart.

Kent and Cynthia settled in Los Angeles, and Kent began studying at Mount San Antonio Junior College while again working on the "Ozzie and Harriet" show during off time from school. The next semester, he transferred to USC and welcomed his daughter, Kristen, into the world. Now the new father began to take acting seriously. While making the rounds of the studios, Bob Thompson, then head of new talent at Universal, showed interest. Kent prepared a scene for him which led to a screen test, and subsequently, a long-term contract.

 Producers Robert A Cinader and Jack Webb remembered Kent from his appear­ances on "Dragnet," and chose him to star with Martin Milner in a new show they had created called "ADAM-12," with stories taken directly from the files of the Los Angeles Police Department. On ADAM-12, Kent did 175 episodes from 1968 to 1975. This top-rated series was a success all over the world. He also starred in the ABC series "GALACTICA 1980", and in the 1989 NBC series "UNSUB". He has recently appeared in recurring roles in the NBC series "SEAQUEST-DSV" and the USA Networks 'RENEGADE",  "SILK STALKINGS", and  "PACIFIC BLUE."  Kent is also recurring on the SCI-FI Channels "FARSCAPE" and the CBS series "JAG."

Among his many other television, film and theatrical laurels are 5 seasons as a regular on THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET, and guest appearances on McHALE'S NAVY, THE VIRGINIAN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, 11 appearances on DRAGNET, MARCUS WELBY, IRONSIDE, THE OUTSIDER, BA BA BLACKSHEEP, THE LOVE BOAT, MONSTERS, MacGYVER, PRIVATE EYE, THE HIGHWAYMAN, J.J. STARBUCK, 21 JUMP STREET, MURDER SHE WROTE, DARK SKIES, LAWLESS,  DIAGNOSIS MURDER, JAG, JOEY AND DAD, MERV GRIFFIN, LAUGH-IN, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, THE TONIGHT SHOW, and others. Movies for television include DRAGNET 66, THE OUTSIDER, SHADOW OVER ELVERON, JIGSAW, BREAKOUT, BEG ,BORROW OR STEAL, TELETHON, PINE CANYON IS BURNlNG (a pilot for NBC), FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, NASHVILLE BEAT (a pilot for The Nashville Network, which Kent Executive Produced and Co-Created), DARK JUSTlCE, a CBS M.O.W and ACCIDENTAL MEETING for USA Cable.  Movies include THE YOUNG WARRIORS, DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELING SALESLADY, CONQUEST OF EARTH, AIRPLANE II-THE SEQUEL, PREDATOR II, ILLICIT BEHAVIOR, and RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III-"ASHES TO ASHES" and "WOMAN'S STORY". His last legitimate theater appearance was on the famous Kenley Circuit in TUNNEL OF LOVE, with Martin Milner.

 Kent has maintained his involvement with sports, having competed in such events as ABC's SUPERSTARS, and BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STARS, CBS's THREE ON THREE PRO-CELEBRITY BASKETBALL, and NBC's CELEBRITY CHALLENGE off-road Jeep race. He also competed as a driver in the TOYOTA PRO-CELEBRITY races for charity held in Long Beach, California, and Watkins Glen, New York, as pre­liminary events to the Grand Prix of America. For four seasons he was one of the top competitors in the professional VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT–BILSTEIN CUP RACING SERIES. He has also raced in the 24 HOURS AT NELSON LEDGES, and THE 12 HOURS OF SEBRING. During the inaugural SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA ENDURANCE SERIES in 1984, Kent's team won the Showroom Stock Class C championship in a Nissan Pulsar. In 1985, he competed, along with his friend and teammate Robert Hays, in the Playboy United States Endurance Cup Series. Kent drove a Nissan Turbo 200SX for the Harvey's Hotel Racing Team in SCCA Showroom Stock Class B category. The team finished a strong third in the class overall after the six races. In 1985 Kent also teamed with Robert Hays in the Frontier 500 Off-Road race in Las Vegas. During the past few years, Kent has competed in numerous races at tracks all over the United States.

For 10 years he was a member of the CELEBRITY ALL STARS basketball team, made up of former pro athletes and show business personalities, who played games for charity throughout Southern California. He played softball with a celebrity team that competed all over the United States. He also plays tennis, handball, and racquetball. He has devoted time to the Boys Club of America, and served as honorary Chairman WE-TIP.

 Since 1972 he has at various times served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Screen Actors Guild and was the Guilds First Vice President for four years and it’s National Secretary/Treasurer for two years.  He was the chair of the Children's Committee and helped fashion protections for child performers working for SAG signatory companies throughout the world.  He chaired the Publications Committee.  In 1999 Kent received the prestigious Ralph Morgan Award given by the general membership of SAG for "devotion to the cause of actors."  He has served as a delegate to AFTRA's conventions.  He represented the American acting community to The Federation Internationale de Acteurs (FIA), an international organization representing performers unions from around the world.  In his capacity as an officer of the Screen Actors Guild, he has lobbied both in Sacramento and Washington D. C. on behalf of actors.

He and Cynthia have, in addition to Kristen, another daughter, Megan, an actress, who starred with Kent in "Pine Canyon Is Burning," and a son, Michael.