Roger E. Mosley, an actor and director best known for his eight-year run on Magnum P.I. as the helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin, has died according to his daughter. He was 83 years old and likely passed away due to injuries he sustained from a “major car accident” his daughter said he went through last week.
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“We could never mourn such an amazing man,” Ch-a Mosley wrote on Facebook. “He would HATE any crying done in his name. It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands. Rest easy.”
Roger Earl Mosley was born in Los Angeles, California on December 18, 1938. He was raised by his mother Eloise in the Imperial Courts public housing project in the neighborhood of Watts in Los Angeles. He attended Jordan High School and had his first acting role many years later in 1971.
He made appearances in several action crime films and blaxploitation flicks through the 70s before his most memorable turn on Magnum P.I. from 1980-88.
Mosley mentioned in a 1982 interview with Ebony that one of his favorite starring roles was when he played musician Huddie Ledbetter in the 1976 film Leadbelly. He theorized that Leadbelly was hardly marketed by Paramount because of the themes of racism it grappled with.
In that interview, Mosley also spoke frankly about working with producers, writers and crew who were mostly white. “I’m constantly fighting,” Mosley said. “The writers can’t write what Black people say. They’re saying ‘Right on’ and things like that. When you try and get them to understand, they think you’re militant. They know of us but they don’t understand us.”
Mosley also appeared in shows like Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Rude Awakening and Arliss. He even returned to acting after a hiatus when he appeared briefly as a barber in Magnum P.I.’s recent revival show. Mosley was even a trained helicopter pilot, though he was never allowed to actually perform his own helicopter stunts on TV.
Mosley is survived by his three children.
