Chad Everett Remembered for Acting and His Most Prized Possession Remark

Last week, actor Chad Everett died. Best known for his role as Dr. Joe Gannon on Medical Center, the 75-year-old Everett passed on Tuesday, July 24, of lung cancer that he had been battling for well over a year.

The actor's career began in guest shots in shows like Maverick, Hawaiian Eye, and Combat. He also had plum roles in the theatrical films, The Singing Nun opposite Debbie Reynold and The Impossible Years with David Niven as well as starring in First to Fight. Everett then landed the role on Medical Center, a series that lasted 7 seasons and secured his place in Hollywood. He went on to star in the mini-series, Centennial, as well as Hagen, The Rousters, and McKenna. This year, an appearance on Castle would turn out to be his last acting role.

Everett made major news in March 1972 when he appeared on The Dick Cavett Show. During the episode, he called his wife, Shelby Grant, his most prized possession, putting her in the same company as his horse and his dog. Cavett's other guest, Lily Tomlin, was so incensed she stormed off the show in a huff, without even giving Everett a chance to explain his remark.

The Everett's marriage was actually one of Hollywood's best, lasting 45 years until Grant's death of a brain aneurysm in June 2011. In their decades of life together, they were never apart for more than two weeks except for one movie shoot that Everett had in Peru. They had two children together who gave them six grandchildren. Their relationship has been documented in their own words by Geffner Productions in a four part series on youtube. Here is the first segment.