Character Actor And ‘The Rockford Files’ Emmy Winner Dies At 82

Wikipedia

Fans of the 1970s series “The Rockford Files” will remember actor Stuart Margolin as Evelyn “Angel” Martin. He co-stared in the show alongside James Garner who played Jim Rockford. Stuart even won two Emmy awards for his role in the category best supporting actor.

Stuart died yesterday at the age of 82. While he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 10 years ago, according to his family, he died of natural causes. His step-son, Max Martini, was with him when he died. Max tweeted a tribute to his stepfather writing, “The two most profound moments in my life… the birth of my kids and being bedside as my step-father passed this morning. My mother, brother and I holding his hands.”

Stuart is survived by his wife, Patricia Margolin, and her three children, Stuart’s step-children, Michelle Martini, Max Martini, and Christopher Martini.

Stuart and Patricia met when they were in high school. Stuart was in court because at age 14 he tried to run away from home and live on his own. There was a system in place at the time where teens were judged by other teens, and Patricia was his judge. She found him guilty.

Not too long after that, Stuart and Patricia ran into each other at a dance. They both ended up marrying different people and ended up divorcing those people around the same time. They eventually rekindled their romance and were married for 40 years. Patricia told USA Today that Stuart was “the love of my life all my life.”

Michelle, Stuart’s step-daughter, told USA Today, “He was one of the most generous people I’ve ever met.” She explained, “He really took my brothers and myself, and he made a family for us, and he changed our lives in so many ways. And he was an amazing husband to my mother.”

Besides tributes from Stuart’s family, fans and former coworkers have been posting tributes on social media as well.

In addition to his role on “The Rockford Files,” Stuart also acted in a variety of other TV shows and movies including “The Gertrude Berg Show,” “Occasional Wife,”  “That Girl,” “Nichols,” “The Partridge Family,” “Gunsmoke,” “MASH,” “Mr. Smith,” and his most recent role, a voiceover role in the short “HOME” which was released earlier this year. He also reprised his role as Angel in multiple “Rockford Files” TV movies in the 1990s.

Enjoy a clip of Stuart playing Angel on an episode of “The Rockford Files” in the video below.