Roger E. Mosley

Roger Earl Mosley (December 18, 1938 – August 7, 2022) was an American actor, director, and writer whose career spanned five decades and left an indelible mark on television and film. Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in the Watts neighborhood, Mosley attended Jordan High School before launching a prolific acting career in the early 1970s. He first gained attention with roles in blaxploitation classics such as The Mack (1973) and Hit Man (1972), and his powerful portrayal of folk‑blues legend Lead Belly in Gordon Parks’ 1976 biopic earned critical acclaim and remained his personal favorite role. Mosley’s most iconic performance arrived in 1980 when he was cast as Theodore "T.C." Calvin, the affable helicopter pilot on the hit CBS series Magnum, P.I., a role he inhabited for the show’s eight‑year run and that cemented his status as a beloved figure in popular culture. Beyond Magnum, he appeared in guest spots on Night Court, Starsky & Hutch, The Rockford Files, and Roots: The Next Generations, showcasing his versatility across genres. He also ventured into directing and writing, founding the Watts Repertory Company in 1974 to nurture community theatre and later directing several stage productions. In the 1990s he enjoyed recurring television work, notably as Coach Ricketts on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and continued to act into his later years, even returning for a cameo in the 2019 reboot of Magnum, P.I. as Booky, T.C.’s barber. Mosley was a certified private helicopter pilot, a skill that added authenticity to his on‑screen piloting, though stunt work was performed by a double for safety. He married Antoinette Laudermilk, his partner of nearly sixty years, and together they raised three children. A lifelong advocate of a clean lifestyle, Mosley never smoked, drank, or used illicit substances, principles he also insisted be reflected in his beloved character. Tragically, after a severe car accident in August 2022, he succumbed to his injuries at Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center, leaving a legacy of talent, professionalism, and community dedication.