Kent McCord’s life and work encompass a significant period in American television history. Understanding his current age provides context to his extensive acting career, allowing for a deeper appreciation of his contributions and enduring legacy within the entertainment industry. Examining his career trajectory, from early roles to later performances, helps illustrate his versatility and impact. Finally, exploring his legacy involves considering his influence on the television landscape and the lasting impression he has left on audiences.
Exploring an actor’s lifespan and career provides valuable insights into the evolution of television and its cultural impact. By tracing McCord’s journey, we can gain a better understanding of the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry, the types of roles prevalent during specific eras, and the enduring appeal of certain actors. This exploration not only offers a glimpse into McCord’s personal and professional development but also sheds light on broader trends and shifts within television history.
This examination will delve into the details of McCord’s age, tracing his career from its beginnings to his most recognizable roles, and ultimately assessing his enduring impact on television and his audience. His prominent role in the iconic series “Adam-12” will be a particular focus, highlighting its contribution to the police procedural genre and its influence on subsequent television programs.
1. Age and Current Status
Kent McCord’s current age provides a crucial framework for understanding his career trajectory and assessing his enduring legacy. Born on September 26, 1942, he is currently 80 years old. This information immediately contextualizes his decades-long career in television, allowing for a more nuanced appreciation of his contributions to the industry. Knowing his age helps clarify the eras in which he worked, the types of roles available to him at various stages of his life, and the challenges and opportunities he likely encountered throughout his career. It allows one to trace his development as an actor from his early roles to his more mature performances.
While his age signifies a long and accomplished career, his current status goes beyond simply stating his date of birth. It encompasses his present involvement in the entertainment industry, whether active or retired, and any public appearances or ongoing projects. This information offers a snapshot of his present engagement with his profession and his continued influence. For example, if he remains active in the industry through guest appearances or voice acting roles, this adds another dimension to his ongoing legacy. Even in retirement, an actor’s age and status remain relevant, as it informs retrospectives and celebrations of their work, ensuring their contributions are remembered and appreciated.
Understanding both McCord’s age and current status are essential for comprehensively evaluating his place within television history. These factors provide a valuable lens through which to analyze his body of work, appreciate his enduring contributions, and understand his continuing impact on the entertainment industry, even beyond the peak of his career. It emphasizes the significance of considering an actor’s entire lifespan, not just their most prominent years, when evaluating their impact on the cultural landscape. This perspective enriches our understanding of McCord’s legacy and highlights the evolving relationship between actors, their audiences, and the television medium over time.
2. Career Highlights
Kent McCord’s career highlights provide crucial insights into the overall trajectory of his professional life and contribute significantly to understanding the scope of his legacy. Examining these pivotal moments reveals not only his acting range and versatility but also how his contributions have shaped the television landscape, particularly within the police procedural genre. These highlights, viewed within the context of his age and current status, provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of his enduring presence in the entertainment industry.
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Adam-12 (1968-1975)
McCord’s portrayal of Officer Jim Reed in “Adam-12” remains his most iconic role. The series, known for its realistic depiction of police work, ran for seven seasons and significantly impacted the police procedural genre. This role established McCord as a household name and cemented his association with law enforcement portrayals on television. His performance in “Adam-12” is central to understanding his lasting legacy and continuing recognition.
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Emergency! (1972-1977) and Other Notable Roles
While “Adam-12” remains his signature role, McCord’s career encompasses a wider range of performances. He appeared in the popular series “Emergency!” and took on various roles in other television shows and films throughout his career, demonstrating versatility beyond the police procedural genre. Examining these roles provides a more complete picture of his acting abilities and his contributions to television beyond his most famous character.
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Voice Acting and Later Career
McCord’s career extended beyond on-screen acting. He contributed his voice to animated series and video games, demonstrating adaptability and a continued engagement with the entertainment industry even beyond traditional acting roles. This aspect of his career highlights his enduring commitment to the profession and adds another layer to his legacy.
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Impact on the Police Procedural Genre
McCord’s performance in “Adam-12” significantly influenced subsequent police procedural television programs. The show’s realistic portrayal of police work set a new standard for the genre, influencing how police officers were depicted on screen and shaping the narrative conventions of police dramas for years to come. This contribution to the genre forms a key component of McCord’s enduring legacy within television history.
Considering these career highlights in conjunction with his age provides a comprehensive understanding of McCord’s contributions to television. From his early work to his most iconic roles and beyond, his career trajectory reveals a dedicated actor who has left a lasting mark on the industry. Analyzing these achievements within the context of his lifespan provides valuable insight into the evolution of television and his enduring influence within it.
3. Enduring Legacy
Kent McCord’s enduring legacy represents the culmination of his age, career trajectory, and overall impact on the television landscape. Understanding his current age, 80 years old, provides a crucial timeframe for assessing the longevity and breadth of his influence. His career, particularly his iconic role as Officer Jim Reed in “Adam-12,” significantly shaped the police procedural genre and influenced subsequent television programs. The connection between his age, career, and legacy lies in the enduring recognition and respect he garnered throughout his decades-long presence in the entertainment industry. His portrayal of Officer Reed contributed to a more realistic depiction of police work on television, influencing audience perceptions and setting a new standard for the genre.
The significance of McCord’s legacy extends beyond his individual achievements. “Adam-12,” through its focus on routine police procedures and community engagement, offered a counterpoint to more sensationalized crime dramas of the time. This approach fostered a greater understanding of law enforcement practices among viewers and arguably contributed to a more nuanced public discourse surrounding policing. McCord’s portrayal of Officer Reed, characterized by professionalism and a commitment to community service, resonated with audiences and became a model for subsequent television portrayals of law enforcement officers. This impact on the genre and audience perception underscores the profound connection between his career and his enduring legacy.
In conclusion, McCord’s enduring legacy is inextricably linked to his age and career. His age provides the context for understanding the length and scope of his influence, while his career, especially his role in “Adam-12,” demonstrates his tangible contributions to television history. His impact on the police procedural genre, shaping its narrative conventions and influencing audience perceptions of law enforcement, solidified his place as a significant figure in television history. This legacy continues to shape the landscape of television programming and serves as a testament to the enduring power of realistic portrayals and compelling characters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kent McCord’s Age, Career, and Legacy
This FAQ section addresses common inquiries regarding Kent McCord’s age, career highlights, and enduring contributions to the television industry. The information provided aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of his place within television history.
Question 1: What is Kent McCord’s date of birth and current age?
Kent McCord was born on September 26, 1942, and is currently 80 years old.
Question 2: What is Kent McCord best known for?
McCord is best known for his portrayal of Officer Jim Reed in the television series “Adam-12,” which aired from 1968 to 1975.
Question 3: How did “Adam-12” influence the police procedural genre?
“Adam-12” is recognized for its realistic depiction of police work, influencing subsequent police procedural programs by emphasizing routine procedures and community engagement.
Question 4: What other notable roles has Kent McCord played?
Besides “Adam-12,” McCord appeared in “Emergency!” and various other television shows and films, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Question 5: Is Kent McCord still active in the entertainment industry?
While information on his current activity may require further research, McCord’s career spanned several decades, encompassing voice acting and on-screen roles, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the entertainment industry.
Question 6: What is Kent McCord’s enduring legacy?
McCord’s legacy stems from his long-standing career in television, his iconic role in “Adam-12,” and the impact of the series on the police procedural genre. His portrayal of Officer Reed shaped audience perceptions of law enforcement and influenced the portrayal of police officers in subsequent television programs.
These FAQs provide a concise overview of key aspects of Kent McCord’s life and career. His contributions to television, particularly within the police procedural genre, remain significant and continue to be appreciated by audiences and scholars of television history.
Further exploration of McCord’s filmography and interviews provide additional insights into his acting career and the evolution of television programming.
Tips for Researching an Actor’s Career and Legacy
Understanding an actor’s contributions to the entertainment industry requires a comprehensive approach. These tips offer guidance for researching an actor’s career and legacy, using Kent McCord as an example. This approach can be applied to other actors to gain a deeper appreciation of their work and impact.
Tip 1: Start with Basic Biographical Information: Begin by establishing key facts such as date of birth, place of birth, and educational background. This foundational information provides context for the actor’s career choices and development.
Tip 2: Explore Filmography: Compile a comprehensive list of the actor’s film and television credits. Note the roles played, the directors they worked with, and the genres they explored. This provides insights into their range and versatility.
Tip 3: Analyze Significant Roles: Focus on particularly impactful roles. Consider the cultural context of these roles and the actor’s performance. For Kent McCord, analyzing his portrayal of Officer Jim Reed in “Adam-12” is crucial.
Tip 4: Research Critical Reception and Awards: Investigate how critics and audiences responded to the actor’s work. Look for awards, nominations, and reviews. This provides external perspectives on their performances and impact.
Tip 5: Examine the Historical Context: Place the actor’s career within the larger context of television or film history. Consider the trends and conventions of the time period in which they worked. This adds depth to understanding their contributions.
Tip 6: Consider the Actor’s Impact on the Industry: Analyze the actor’s influence on their respective genre or on subsequent actors. Did they establish new acting styles or contribute to genre conventions? McCord’s influence on the police procedural genre exemplifies this aspect.
Tip 7: Explore Interviews and Archival Materials: Seek out interviews with the actor or archival materials related to their work. This provides valuable firsthand perspectives and insights into their motivations and creative processes.
By following these research tips, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of an actor’s career and legacy, appreciating their contributions to the entertainment industry in a more nuanced and informed way.
These research tips provide a framework for exploring Kent McCord’s career and the broader evolution of television. They lead to a more comprehensive understanding of his enduring presence in the industry and offer a methodological approach applicable to researching other actors.
Concluding Remarks on Kent McCord
This exploration of Kent McCord’s life and work reveals a career deeply intertwined with the evolution of television, particularly within the police procedural genre. From establishing his age and current status to tracing his career highlights and analyzing his enduring legacy, the examination underscores McCord’s significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His portrayal of Officer Jim Reed in “Adam-12” remains a defining role, shaping audience perceptions of law enforcement and influencing subsequent television programs. The series’ emphasis on realistic portrayals of police work set a new standard for the genre, impacting narrative conventions and character development in future police dramas.
McCord’s career serves as a valuable case study for understanding the dynamics of television history. His work invites further exploration into the changing landscape of the entertainment industry, the evolving portrayals of law enforcement on screen, and the enduring impact of actors on popular culture. Continuing research into McCord’s career and its broader context offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between television, its audiences, and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of the world. His enduring influence underscores the importance of examining the entirety of an actor’s career, considering not only their most iconic roles but also their broader contributions to the ongoing evolution of television.