Randolph Mantooth, the actor famous for playing Johnny Gage, the paramedic character in the popular 1970s TV show Emergency!, has passed away. He was 80 years old.Mantooth died on July 9 at a hospice facility in Ventura following a long illness, according to his brother, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.Randolph Mantooth did not have any children, despite being married twice. His first wife was Rose Parra, whom he was married to from 1978 to 1991. He married his second wife, Kristen Connors, in 2002.The actor is survived by his wife, Kristen, and his siblings, Donald and Tonya.Entertainment Weekly Magazine 3rd Annual Pre-Emmy Party - Arrivals - Source: GettyBorn in Sacramento, Randolph Mantooth's father was of Cherokee and Seminole descent. He studied at Santa Barbara City College and earned a scholarship to New York’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts.He signed to a Universal contract after he was discovered in New York, then he began appearing on TV shows including Ironside, The Virginian, Marcus Welby, M.D., and The Bold Ones.More about Randolph Mantooth's legacyMantooth rose to fame in 1972 after landing the role of Johnny Gage in Emergency!, an NBC drama credited with introducing many Americans to the emerging profession of paramedics. The series ran for six seasons and starred Mantooth alongside Kevin Tighe.Throughout the show's run, Randolph Mantooth performed many of his own stunts, helping bring realism to the action-packed rescue drama.His popularity as Johnny Gage extended beyond Emergency!. He reprised the role in crossover appearances on the police drama Adam-12, further cementing the character's place in television history.Over a career spanning decades, he appeared in numerous television series and films, though he remained most closely associated with the role that helped bring public attention to lifesaving emergency responders.He guest-starred on shows like Dallas, Charlie's Angels, and The Love Boat. Randolph Mantooth had a notable second act appearing in soap operas, such as Loving in 1987 as Clay Alden, then spent two years on General Hospital as Richard Halifax.The actor returned to Loving for two more years. Among the other soaps he appeared on were The City, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live.The Hollywood Show - Source: GettyFurther, he also made special appearances on Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer, and Sons of Anarchy.Away from the screen, Randolph Mantooth remained closely connected to the emergency services community. He spent years advocating for firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, becoming a respected supporter of first responders long after the series ended.Mantooth was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but continued making public appearances and supporting causes connected to emergency medical services in the years that followed.