From Vietnam medic to television star and Broadway performer

Entertainment · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a household name on CBS, Gregory Harrison served as a medic during the Vietnam War era. His career spans diverse roles, from science fiction leads to Broadway musicals, and includes a personal battle with addiction that he eventually overcame with professional help.

Born on May 31, 1950, in Avalon, California, Gregory Harrison’s career is defined by its remarkable versatility. He gained significant fame starting in 1979 as Dr. George "Gonzo" Gates on the medical drama Trapper John, M.D., a series spun off from M*A*S*H. His tenure as the young surgeon's assistant lasted until the middle of the show's seventh season. Subsequently, he explored various genres, appearing as the cruel tycoon Michael Sharpe in Falcon Crest from 1989 to 1990, and as the lead in the sci-fi show Logan's Run between 1977 and 1978.

Harrison's stage presence is equally notable, having appeared in major Broadway productions. He took on the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago's Broadway and touring shows, featured in the first Broadway staging of Kander & Ebb's Steel Pier, and played Benjamin Stone in the Broadway revival of Sondheim's Follies. This breadth of work—from soap operas like General Hospital to high-profile musicals—showcases a performer capable of navigating vastly different entertainment landscapes.

Beyond his professional accolades, Harrison's life has been marked by personal resilience. During the 1980s, he struggled with a cocaine addiction, a challenge he successfully overcame through treatment at the Betty Ford Center. His private life features a lengthy marriage to actress Randi Oakes, whom he encountered during the 1979 Battle of the Network Stars competition. The couple, who kept their marriage secret for several years, have four children and have resided in Southern Oregon since the early 1990s.

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