Wednesday, July 25, 2012

'Medical Center' Star Chad Everett Dies At 75



Many young girls fantasize about the man that they will one day marry.  I certainly did and they were generally actors I saw on my favorite shows.  One such “fantasy husband” was Chad Everett. 
Chad Everett, the hunky actor who played the thoracic surgeon Dr. Joe Gannon on Medical Center.  The show appeared on CBS from 1969 to 1976.

Everett was born Raymon Lee Cramton in South Bend, Indiana to Virdeen Ruth (née Hopper) and Harry Clyde “Ted” Cramton. He was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, where he became interested in the theater as a Fordson High School student.

After attending Wayne State University, in Detroit, he headed to Hollywood and obtained a contract with Warner Brothers studio. Agent Henry Wilson signed him and changed his name to Chad Everett. Everett claims he changed his name because he tired of explaining his real name, "Raymon-no-D, Cramton-no-P."

Everett battled alcoholism for many years before seeking treatment from Alcoholics Anonymous. He had a much publicized argument with feminist actress Lily Tomlin during the taping of the March 31, 1972, episode of The Dick Cavett Show. Tomlin became so enraged when Everett referred to his wife as "my property" that she stormed off the set and refused to return.

Chad leaves behind two daughters. Kate is happily married and the CEO of a multimillion dollar company in San Francisco. She has 3 children. Shannon owns a successful business and has 3 children. Both daughters share their late parents’ love of helping those in need. In May Chad and family were in attendance when Shelby was honored for her charity work Gift of Life.

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