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What happened to Stuart Margolin? Is he dead or alive? Wiki

Author

Eleanor Gray

Published Mar 18, 2026

• Veteran actor and accomplished director, writer, and musician
• 80 years old and still active in projects, most recently appearing in 2020 film “What the Night Can Do”
• Attended Professional Children’s School in Greenwich Village and Scottsdale High School
• Gained fame with role of Angel Martin in television series “The Rockford Files”, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards
• Married 3 times, most recently to Patricia Ann Dunne; has 3 step-children in the film industry



Short Info

Spouse Joyce Eliason, Pat Margolin
Fact Known for appearing in productions with James Garner including three television series and several TV movies.



Who is Stuart Margolin?

The veteran actor achieved fame with the role of Angel Martin in the television series “The Rockford Files” (1974-1979), which was later turned into movie series “The Rockford Files” (1994-1999), in addition to many other popular roles that cemented his place among all-time greats. In addition to acting, Stuart is also an accomplished director, writer, and musician.

What Happened to Stuart Margolin? Is He Dead or Alive?

Stuart has recently turned 80 years of age, and despite the age, he is still active. Though only sporadically appearing in projects, his latest appearance was as Hugh Dryer, the lead character in the film “What the Night Can Do” in 2020. So, he is certainly alive and well, and is still working on his prosperous career, that’s lasted 60 years.

Stuart Margolin Wiki- Age, Childhood, and Education

Stuart Margolin was born on the 31st January 1940, in Davenport, Iowa USA; the names of his parents aren’t available, but we know that he has an older brother, Arnold Margolin, who is also involved in show business, but as a screenwriter, director, and television producer. His famous works include as executive producer of “Love, American Style”, among other contributions. He was a troubling teenager, having been kicked out of school and even ended up at juvenile court. Stuart attended the Professional Children’s School in Greenwich Village, where he lived with his older brother. However, he eventually matriculated from Scottsdale High School.

Interested in acting, he featured in the theater during high school, but didn’t take-up acting lessons until he finished high school. At first he went into the real estate business, but with the help of Barney Brown, an acting teacher, and director at the Pasadena Playhouse, Stuart eventually moved to California and pursued an acting career.

Career Beginnings

With only a few appearances in local theater plays, Stuart then pursued an acting career on the screen; his first role came in 1961 when he was selected for the part of Lester Wexler in the TV series “The Gertrude Berg Show”, appearing in three episodes from 1961 to 1962.

His next project was the role of Lt. Miller in the TV series “Ensign O’Toole” in 1962, and throughout the ‘60s, Stuart had minor roles in several TV series, earning a name for himself by appearing in such projects as “12 O’Clock High”, “The Fugitive”, and “The F.B.I”, before appearing in the TV series “Love, American Style” from 1969 until 1973. Concurrently he had the part of Deputy Mitch Mitchell in the TV series “Nichols”, appearing in 24 episodes from 1971 to 1972, while in 1973 he portrayed Lawrence in the film “The Stone Killer”.

Rise to Prominence

Stuart was gradually becoming more popular, and his other work such as directing only contributed to his popularity.

This resulted in the role of Angel Martin, the shifty friend and former jail-mate of Jim Rockford – played by James Garner – in the series “The Rockford Files”. Although a recurring character, it highly influenced his career, and through 1979 he appeared in 37 episodes of the Golden Globe Award-nominated crime-drama series, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series. The role made him extremely popular, and he continued his career with more success. Focused more on television, Stuart had a few notable film appearances in the ‘70s, such as the role of Blind Pete in the western “This Is the West That Was” (1974), then as Harry in the sci-fi thriller film “Futureworld” (1976), and as Mill Foreman in the Academy award-winning romantic drama film “Days of Heaven” in 1978, starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams and Sam Shepard.

The 1980s brought new popular roles for Stuart, raising his stature – he co-starred in the comedy-drama film “S.O.B” with Julie Andrews, William Holden and Marisa Berenson, and played Philo Sandeen in the TV series “Maverick” from 1981 to 1982. As the decade progressed, Stuart made more film appearances, almost always in supporting roles. He was Officer Trent in the crime-drama film “Running Hot” in 1984, and Herman Sinclair in the comedy crime-drama film “The Glitter Dome”. Four years later, Stuart co-starred in the action film “Iron Eagle II”, next to Louis Gossett Jr. and Mark Humphrey, while before the decade ended he had a minor role in the romantic drama film “By Bye Blues”.

The Return of Angel Martin, and Other Projects

The ‘90s started the same way as the ‘80s ended, successfully; he was cast as Bob in the mystery thriller film “Deep Sleep”, starring next to Megan Follows and Patricia Collins. Two years later he had another starring role, this time it was the thriller “Impolite”, in which he shared screen time with Robert Wisden and Kevin McNulty. Two years later, Stuart returned to the small screen as Angel Martin in the string of television movies about Jim Rockford and Martin. The first installment was entitled “I Still Love L.A”, followed by seven sequels through 1999. In addition, Stuart worked on several other roles; he played John in the television movie “Justice on Wheels: The Diana Kilmury Story” in 1996, and also appeared in the comedy-drama film “The Lay of the Land” in 1997, and finished the decade with the role of Clyde Johnson in the film “The Hi-Line.

So unexpected, but so great, to see Stuart Margolin from THE ROCKFORD FILES on last week’s X-FILES. Brought a smile to my face, #XFiles #RockfordFiles #JamesGarner

— Bionic_Tweets (@Bionic_Tweets) January 29, 2018

The 2000s

Stuart was focused full time on acting until the mid-2000s, adding a number of popular roles to his portfolio. He was Miles Rankin in the TV series “These Arms of Mine” (2000-2001), and played Jack Welsh from 2002 to 2004 in the TV action-thriller series “Tom Stone”. However, since then Stuart has only appeared sporadically in a few TV series and films, but without major success, except for the lead role in the film “The Second Time Around” in 2016.

Directing and Writing

Stuart is an accomplished director too; his directing debut happened in 1973 when he was behind the camera for an episode of the TV series “Love, American Style”, continuing his directing career by working on TV series, including “The Rockford Files” and “The Love Boat”.

In 1990 he directed the complete mini-series “Bride of Violence”, while in 1996 he again worked on “The Rockford Files”, this time directing one of the television movies. Other credits include the TV series “Promised Land” (1997-1999), “Touched by an Angel” (1997-2002), and “Intelligence” (2006-2007), among others.

Stuart is a writer as well, and his first creation was the television movie “The Ballad of Andy Crocker” (1969). Ten years later, he wrote the screenplay for the comedy-crime film “A Man, a Woman and a Bank” (1979), starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams and Paul Mazursky. The “Bride of Violence” (1990) was his complete creation, while he also wrote and starred in the film “What the Night Can Do” (2020).

Music Aspirations

Stuart is a talented lyricist and compositor; he has worked closely with his longtime friend singer-songwriter Jerry Riopelle. In addition, he collaborated with the band Shango, and released his solo album “And the Angel Sings” in 1980.

Stuart Margolin Net Worth, Height, Weight, and Appearance

Stuart has over 120 film and TV credits to his name accomplished in a career that spans for 60 years, so has been rendered often as one of the best character actors, however, he is so much more than just a regular actor, as he has proven his talents in directing and writing. His net worth has grown accordingly, and sources estimate that it’s over $16 million, as of mid- 2020.

Stuart Margolin stands at 5ft 8ins (1.77m) tall, while he weighs approximately 170lbs ~ 78kgs. He has brown eyes and his hair is now grey, though in the past he had black hair.

Stuart Margolin Personal Life, Marriage, Wife, Children

Stuart has been married three times and two divorces behind him. His first wife was Terri Lynn McCourtney; the two married on the 23rd of June 1962, but their marriage failed apparently because of Stuart’s career, as he was often traveling and even spent six months away from his wife. His second wife was Joyce Eliason, a television writer nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards. The two married in 1966 but divorced nine years later.

After his second marriage ended in divorce, he renewed his friendship with Patricia Ann Dunne, whom he had met while at the juvenile court – she was his judge and his peer. When they married, Patricia had already been divorced and had three children, Max, Christopher, and Michelle Martini, who are all in the film industry. Max is an actor, Christopher a producer and writer, while Michelle is a costume designer. Stuart and Patricia don’t have children of their own, however, Stuart is the respected step-father of her children from her previous marriage.

General Info

Full Name Stuart Margolin
Height 1.77 m
Profession Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Television Director, Television producer, Film Score Composer
Nationality American

Family

Spouse Joyce Eliason, Pat Margolin
Siblings Arnold Margolin

Accomplishments

Awards Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Children’s Programs, Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series
Music Groups Shango
Nominations Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing In A Children/Youth/Family Special, Gemini Award for Best Perfor…
Movies Kelly’s Heroes, Death Wish, Arbitrage, Days of Heaven, Futureworld, Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, Iron Eagle II, How the West Was Fun, The Stone Killer, A Fine Mess, The Big Bus, S.O.B., The Discoverers, The Gambler, To Grandmother’s House We Go, Guilty by Suspicion, Class, Women of the Prehisto…
TV Shows The Rockford Files, Love, American Style, Bret Maverick, Nichols, Occasional Wife, Mom P.I., Tom Stone, Bride of Violence, The Bridge, Mr. Smith, These Arms of Mine, Lanigan’s Rabbi

Social profile links

IMDB

Quotes

# Quote
1 I’m a character actor, many times if a character actor does his job particularly well, you don’t even notice him.

Facts

# Fact
1 Brother of producer Arnold Margolin.
2 Known for appearing in productions with James Garner including three television series and several TV movies.
3 Father-in-law of Kim Restell.
4 1958 graduate of South Oak Cliff H.S. in suburban Dallas, Texas, USA.
5 Stepfather of Max Martini, Christopher Martini and Michelle Martini.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

Title Year Status Character
NCIS 2014 TV Series Felix Betts
Republic of Doyle 2013 TV Series Stanley Westcott
The Discoverers 2012 Stanley Birch
Arbitrage 2012 Syd Felder
Call Me Fitz 2011 TV Series Nicky Fibronsky
The Bridge 2010 TV Series Vic Leo
30 Rock 2009 TV Series Fred
Saturday Night Live 2009 TV Series Stage Manager
Intelligence 2006 TV Series Flanagan
The Hoax 2006 Martin Ackerman
Tom Stone 2002-2004 TV Series Jack Welsh
I Was a Teenage Faust 2002 TV Movie Mephisto
Strange Frequency 2001 TV Series
Da Vinci’s Inquest 2001 TV Series Felix Reynard
These Arms of Mine 2000-2001 TV Series Miles Rankin
18 Wheels of Justice 2000 TV Series Marvin Tate
Touched by an Angel 1997-2000 TV Series Stuart Deane / Ray Bishop
Beggars and Choosers 1999 TV Series Kendall Gifford
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads 1999 TV Movie Angel Martin
The Hi-Line 1999 Clyde Johnson
Promised Land 1998 TV Series Rudy Patois
Dead Man’s Gun 1998 TV Series Max Lewis
The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda 1997 TV Movie Angel
The Lay of the Land 1997 Carmine Ficcone
Mother Trucker: The Diana Kilmury Story 1996 TV Movie John
The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime 1996 TV Movie Angel Martin
The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996 TV Movie Angel Martin
The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best 1996 TV Movie Angel Martin
If the Frame Fits… 1996 TV Movie Angel
The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise 1995 TV Movie Angel Martin
The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. 1994 TV Movie Angel Martin
Johnny Bago 1993 TV Series Bosco
Monkey House 1993 TV Series George Anderson
To Grandmother’s House We Go 1992 TV Movie Det. Gremp
The Ray Bradbury Theatre 1992 TV Series Vincent
Impolite 1992 I.M. Penner
Matlock 1992 TV Series Nelson Adelson
Bride of Violence 1991 TV Movie Chinnici
Guilty by Suspicion 1991 Abe Barron
Mom P.I. 1990 TV Series Bernard Fox
Deep Sleep 1990 Bob
A Family for Joe 1990 TV Series Mickey
Bye Bye Blues 1989 Slim Godfrey
Iron Eagle II 1988 Gen. Stillmore
A Fine Mess 1986 Maurice ‘Binky’ Drundza
Crazy Like a Fox 1986 TV Series B.J.
Danger Bay 1985 TV Series Amos Perry
Hill Street Blues 1985 TV Series Andy Sedita
The Glitter Dome 1984 TV Movie Herman Sinclair
Running Hot 1984 Officer Trent
A Killer in the Family 1983 TV Movie Randy Greenawalt
Class 1983 Balaban
Magnum, P.I. 1983 TV Series Rod Crysler
The Fall Guy 1983 TV Series Ace Cochran
CBS Children’s Mystery Theatre 1983 TV Series Happy Jack
Mr. Smith 1983 TV Series Dr. Klein
Bret Maverick 1981-1982 TV Series Philo Sandeen / Philo Sandine
S.O.B. 1981 Gary Murdock
The Associates 1980 TV Series Phil Kramer
The Rockford Files 1974-1979 TV Series Angel Martin / Angel / Teeta Skerritt
Days of Heaven 1978 Mill Foreman
Heroes 1977 Motorist at Garage (uncredited)
Futureworld 1976 Harry
Perilous Voyage 1976 TV Movie Rico
The Big Bus 1976 Alex
Lanigan’s Rabbi 1976 TV Series Rabbi David Small
Rhoda 1975-1976 TV Series Dr. Arthur Alborn
This Is the West That Was 1974 TV Movie Blind Pete
The Gambler 1974 Cowboy
The California Kid 1974 TV Movie Deputy
Death Wish 1974 Aimes Jainchill
M*A*S*H 1972-1974 TV Series Major Stanley ‘Stosh’ Robbins / Captain Phillip G. Sherman
Gunsmoke 1965-1974 TV Series Brownie / John Mophet / Sheriff
A Summer Without Boys 1973 TV Movie Dan Hailey (voice, uncredited)
The Stone Killer 1973 Lawrence
Cops 1973 TV Movie Benny the Squealer
Cannon 1973 TV Series Roger Henry
Mary Tyler Moore 1973 TV Series Warren Sturges
Love, American Style 1969-1973 TV Series Love American Style Player / Love American Style player / Fenton (segment “Love and the Love Kit”) / …
Limbo 1972 Phil Garrett
The Partridge Family 1970-1972 TV Series Snake / Hank
Nichols 1971-1972 TV Series Mitch
Getting Together 1971 TV Series
The Intruders 1970 TV Movie Jesse James
Kelly’s Heroes 1970 Little Joe
My World and Welcome to It 1969-1970 TV Series Guest Star
The Gamblers 1970 Goldy
Land of the Giants 1969 TV Series Zoral
It Takes a Thief 1968-1969 TV Series Sagalis / Dimitri Stavro / Prison Chaplain
That Girl 1968-1969 TV Series Dr. Phillip L. Priddy / Leonard Stanley / Talley
Judd for the Defense 1968 TV Series Dr. Heyman
Don’t Just Stand There 1968 Remy
The F.B.I. 1968 TV Series Al Bush
Bewitched 1968 TV Series Ralph
The Monkees 1968 TV Series Captain
The Virginian 1968 TV Series Abe Yeager
He & She 1968 TV Series Arnold
The Second Hundred Years 1967 TV Series Adonia
Occasional Wife 1966-1967 TV Series Bernie
Ironside 1967 TV Movie News Show Staff
Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats 1966 TV Series Rafe Blanton
Hey, Landlord 1966 TV Series TV Reporter
Blue Light 1966 TV Series Cpl. Reardon
Women of the Prehistoric Planet 1966 Chief
Branded 1965 TV Series Cavalry Officer–wrongly billed on-screen as ‘Taeger’
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour 1965 TV Series Robin Boyd
12 O’Clock High 1965 TV Series Lt. Murray Epstein
Ben Casey 1964 TV Series Irv
The Fugitive 1964 TV Series Jimmy
Channing 1963-1964 TV Series Blumenthal / Bob Brodie
Burke’s Law 1963 TV Series Young Man
The Lieutenant 1963 TV Series Cpl. Merle Purveau
Ensign O’Toole 1962 TV Series Lt. Miller
The Gertrude Berg Show 1961 TV Series Lester Wexler

Director

Title Year Status Character
The Bridge 2010 TV Series 1 episode
Intelligence 2006-2007 TV Series 3 episodes
Da Vinci’s City Hall 2006 TV Series 1 episode
Da Vinci’s Inquest 2004 TV Series 1 episode
The Handler 2004 TV Series 1 episode
Wild Card 2003 TV Series
Tom Stone 2002-2003 TV Series 6 episodes
Touched by an Angel 1997-2002 TV Series 11 episodes
Beggars and Choosers 1999-2001 TV Series 5 episodes
These Arms of Mine 2001 TV Series 3 episodes
Promised Land 1997-1999 TV Series 8 episodes
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads 1999 TV Movie
Stranger in Town 1998 TV Movie
The Sweetest Gift 1998 TV Movie
Black Harbour 1996 TV Series
Salt Water Moose 1996
The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996 TV Movie
Jake and the Kid 1995 TV Series
How the West Was Fun 1994 TV Movie
North of 60 1992-1994 TV Series 4 episodes
Lonesome Dove: The Series 1994 TV Series 1 episode
Medicine River 1993 TV Movie
Double, Double Toil and Trouble 1993 TV Movie
Quantum Leap 1993 TV Series 1 episode
The Ray Bradbury Theatre 1992 TV Series 1 episode
Bride of Violence 1991 TV Movie
Northern Exposure 1991 TV Series 1 episode
Fly by Night 1991 TV Series
B.L. Stryker 1990 TV Series 1 episode
Neon Rider 1989 TV Series 1 episode
Paramedics 1988
The Facts of Life Down Under 1987 TV Movie
The Room Upstairs 1987 TV Movie
Tough Cookies 1986 TV Series 1 episode
Crazy Dan 1986 TV Movie
Danger Bay 1985 TV Series 1 episode
Crazy Like a Fox 1985 TV Series 3 episodes
The Glitter Dome 1984 TV Movie
Magnum, P.I. 1983 TV Series 1 episode
Hart to Hart 1983 TV Series 1 episode
CBS Children’s Mystery Theatre 1983 TV Series 1 episode
The Long Summer of George Adams 1982 TV Movie
Bret Maverick 1981 TV Series 2 episodes
A Shining Season 1979 TV Movie
Suddenly, Love 1978 TV Movie
The Fitzpatricks 1978 TV Series 1 episode
The Love Boat 1977 TV Series 7 episodes
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries 1977 TV Series 1 episode
The Rockford Files 1974-1977 TV Series 2 episodes
Wonder Woman 1977 TV Series 2 episodes
Phyllis 1976 TV Series 1 episode
Mary Tyler Moore 1976 TV Series 1 episode
The Texas Wheelers 1974 TV Series
Love, American Style 1973 TV Series 1 episode

Writer

Title Year Status Character
Grizzly Falls 1999 story
North of 60 1994 TV Series writer – 1 episode
Bride of Violence 1991 TV Movie
Neon Rider 1989 TV Series writer – 1 episode
A Man, a Woman and a Bank 1979 screenplay
The Ballad of Andy Crocker 1969 TV Movie written by

Composer

Title Year Status Character
Bride of Violence 1991 TV Movie
The Glitter Dome 1984 TV Movie
The Long Summer of George Adams 1982 TV Movie
Cops 1973 TV Movie
Rolling Man 1972 TV Movie
Evil Roy Slade 1972 TV Movie

Producer

Title Year Status Character
The Glitter Dome 1984 TV Movie producer
The Ballad of Andy Crocker 1969 TV Movie associate producer

Soundtrack

Title Year Status Character
Stingray 1978 writer: “MIDNIGHT TRAIN”
The Ballad of Andy Crocker 1969 TV Movie lyrics: “Ballad of Andy Crocker”

Music Department

Title Year Status Character
Fay 1975 TV Series theme song – 1 episode

Thanks

Title Year Status Character
Trooper 2010 very special thanks
Moving Malcolm 2003 thanks
Days of Heaven 1978 special thanks

Self

Title Year Status Character
Biography 2000 TV Series documentary Himself
The Making of ‘Class’ 1983 TV Movie documentary Himself
Today 1982 TV Series Himself
The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1979 TV Special Himself – Co-Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Awards

Won Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie
2013 Canadian Screen Award Canadian Screen Awards, CA Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series Call Me Fitz (2010)
1999 Camério Carrousel International du Film Best Film The Sweetest Gift (1998)
1997 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs Salt Water Moose (1996)
1993 American Indian Movie Award American Indian Film Festival Best Film Medicine River (1993)
1980 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series The Rockford Files (1974)
1979 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series The Rockford Files (1974)

Nominated Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie
2003 Gemini Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series Tom Stone (2002)
2002 Gemini Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series Tom Stone (2002)
1999 Daytime Emmy Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Special The Sweetest Gift (1998)
1999 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs The Sweetest Gift (1998)
1997 Gemini Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program Mother Trucker: The Diana Kilmury Story (1996)
1992 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series’ – Night Northern Exposure (1990)
1987 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia