James MacArthur, 'Hawaii Five-O' Star, Dies at 72

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Oct 28th 2010 01:38PM

James MacArthur, who gained worldwide fame in the 1970s as "Danno" in the iconic TV series, 'Hawaii Five-O,' died on Thursday at his home, a family representative told PEOPLE. He was 72.

The actor's agent, Richard Lewis, told the AP that MacArthur died of "natural causes" in Florida, however, no other details have been given.

In a career that spanned more than four decades, MacArthur was most recognized for his role as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams on 'Hawaii Five-0,' which aired from 1968 to 1980. Episodes often ended with detective Steve McGarret, the lead character, uttering what became a pop culture catch phrase: "Book 'em, Danno."

Jack Lord, who starred as McGarret, died in 1998.

MacArthur quit the role of McGarret's sidekick a year before the program's final season.

"Quite frankly, I grew bored," he explained on his website. "The stories became more bland and predictable and presented less and less challenge to me as an actor."

'Hawaii Five-O,' one of the longest running crime shows in TV history with 278 episodes, was shot on location in the Hawaiian islands. It was the first Hawaii-based national TV series.

The drama has been remade by CBS with a new cast this season.

MacArthur acted in several movies, including 'Swiss Family Robinson' and 'The Battle of the Bulge.' His live acting career won him the 1961 Theatre World Award for best new actor for his performance in 'Invitation to a March.'

MacArthur was the adopted son of stage and screen icon, Helen Hayes, who died in 1993.

Tags: james macarthur

Comments

(157)

Thursday 28 October

By grapost

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They forgot to mention he was the son of Actress Helen Hayes!

By sandee

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Indeed.......Helen Hayes was a great actress! Whoever wrote this is probably too young to remember or bother to research his bio history throughly. Rest in peace "Dano".

By cappy

It was mentioned... in the last line of the article.

By Frances

No, they didn't forget to mention he was the son of Helen Hayes. It says he was the adopted son of Helen Hayes. Is he also the actor that played "Boy" on Tarzan with Johnny Weismiller?

By Howard Miller

Read the last line of the Story.

By Apostate

Actually,it's acknowledged in the last line.

RIP,"Danno".

By Bfrjds1981

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Please, please tell me you are not going to vote Tuesday.

By James & Kathy

Read the last sentence and you find that they DID mention that.

By Karen

I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but the last line of the article states that he was actress Helen Hayes adopted son and that she died in 1993. Did anyone check out the utube on Hawaii 5-O. It is really cool. The last words that Dan-O says is "Peace and Love Brother". So very much like James in real life.

By sheridan

They did not forget to mention That he was the son of Helen Hayes. You need to read to very last line of the article. He was a terrific actor and will be missed. So many great older actors are leaving us! So Sad!

By Lisa Fiorita

They certainly did forget to mention he was the 'adopted' son of Actress Helen Hayes

By Me

Did you even READ the whole article? Here's the last sentence:

"MacArthur was the adopted son of stage and screen icon, Helen Hayes, who died in 1993."

By Cheryl

Geez. Read to the end of the article. They DID mention that. He was her ADOPTED son.

By Pat

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NO they did not forget to mention he was Helen Hayes' son. I plainly said "he was the adopted son of Helen Hayes".

By Scp

They do mention that he was the adopted son of Helen Hayes....read carefully to the end of the article.

By Kevin

Frances, Johnny Sheffield played boy in the Tarzan movies,

By dbrockskk

Who are you? Do you even read?

By Ralph

The last line about James MacArthur being the adopted son of Helen Hayes was not in the story when it was first printed. I read it earlier today and it most certainly DID NOT have that line it. It had to have been added after some of the replies had already been posted.
You were a talented actor Mr. MacArthur. You will be missed.

By mike

They can't cut you some slack for missing the last line there grapost! Can't even enjoy a nice bone and scan the stories without all these up tight proofreaders in your b.m.

By Frank

Lost some good actors and actresses this week from some good old TV shows Barbara Billingsly, Tom Bosley and now James (DANNO) MacArthur. Hawaii Five O was a great TV series for its time. MacArthur was a perfect fit with Jack Lord. I also liked MacArthur in movies like the Young Interns, Spencers Mountain and he was great in the Battle Of The Bulge. Aloha and BOOK'EM DANNO

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