Topic: Randolph Mantooth

Randolph Donald Mantooth (born September 19, 1945) is an American character actor of stage, film and television. Mantooth is best known for his work in the 1970s medical drama, Emergency!, as Johnny Gage, a paramedic. He is also known for his work on the E! Network's program Talk Soup alongside host John Henson, and for appearing in various soap operas starting in the 1980s.

Mantooth, the oldest of four children, was born in Sacramento, California, to Sadie and Donald Mantooth. He is half Seminole. Because of his father's job in the construction industry, Mantooth's family lived in 24 states, finally settling in Santa Barbara, California, where he grew up. Even as a child, Mantooth was fascinated with acting. He attended San Marcos High School, where he further cultivated his passion in drama, which led him to become an actor. He graduated from high school in 1963 and then the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, with a major in drama and dance. One of his earlier jobs was as a page at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. During his childhood, Mantooth sold newspapers for his local paper, the Coatesville Record, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Mantooth was prepared for the lead role in the play Philadelphia Here I Come, after performing in the popular production of How to Laugh on Stage. His performance as Gar earned him the Charles Jehlenger Award, an honor he shared with fellow actor Brad Davis. Then, in 1970, he received a contract with Universal Studios, left New York and moved back to California, where he guest-starred in a variety of shows.