Mod Squad Cast: Where Are They Now?
by Janani
Updated Jun 29, 2023
The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad is an American crime drama series that aired for five seasons on ABC from 1968 to 1973. The main cast included Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams III, and Tige Andrews. The series, produced by Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas, follows a group of young undercover cops who work to infiltrate the counterculture scene.
The show received several award nominations and won a Golden Globe for Peggy Lipton. It was also recognized by the Mystery Writers of America and ranked as one of TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.
Mod Squad Cast Where are They Now?
1) Clarence Williams III
Clarence Williams III was an American actor known for his role as Linc Hayes in the television series The Mod Squad from 1968 to 1973. He also appeared in films such as "Purple Rain," "52 Pick-Up," "Tales from the Hood," "Hoodlum," "Half Baked," "Life," "American Gangster," and "Reindeer Games."
Born in New York City, Williams came from a musical background, with his father and grandfather being musicians. He developed an interest in acting after accidentally stepping onto a stage at a Harlem YMCA theater. After serving in the Army, he started his acting career on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for his role in "Slow Dance on the Killing Ground." Williams had a breakout television role as Linc Hayes in The Mod Squad and went on to work in various genres on both stage and screen.
Throughout his career spanning over forty years, he appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "Miami Vice," "Twin Peaks," "Deep Cover," and "Purple Rain." Williams had a recurring role in the Mystery Woman film series and voiced Councilor Andam in the animated series "American Dragon: Jake Long." He portrayed Bumpy Johnson in the film "American Gangster."
Clarence Williams III passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 81 due to colon cancer. He is buried in St Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York. Williams was married to actress Gloria Foster, and they worked together on The Mod Squad and in the film "The Cool World." They remained friends after their divorce, and Williams announced Foster's death in 2001.
2) Michael Cole
Michael Cole is an American actor, born on July 3, 1940. He gained prominence for his portrayal of Pete Cochran in the television crime drama series, The Mod Squad, which aired from 1968 to 1973.
Throughout his career, Cole has appeared in various films and TV shows. He started in 1961 with a role in the film drama Forbid Them Not, followed by notable appearances such as Mark in the science fiction film The Bubble (1966), Spivey in the Western Chuka (1967), and Alan Miller in The Last Child (1971), which earned a Golden Globe Award nomination. He also performed on stage, including the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
In addition to his film work, Cole made guest appearances on TV shows like Gunsmoke, Wonder Woman, The Love Boat, and CHiPs. He played the role of adult Henry Bowers in Stephen King's TV miniseries It (1990) and joined the cast of General Hospital as Harlan Barrett in 1991.
However, it was his role as Pete Cochran in The Mod Squad that brought him international recognition. Cole's youthful appearance and deep voice were a perfect fit for the character, a troubled youth turned crime fighter. The show, produced by Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas, resonated with counterculture-era viewers and ran for five seasons, producing 123 episodes.
Initially hesitant about playing an undercover cop, Cole changed his mind after reading the script and recognizing the show's potential appeal.
Outside of his acting career, Cole sought treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic in the early 1990s to address his struggle with alcoholism. Since then, he has been living a sober lifestyle.
Cole continues to work in the entertainment industry, taking on various film and television projects. He appeared in ER in 2006 and starred in the Mystery Woman film series episode, Mystery Woman: At First Sight, alongside Clarence Williams III. He also played the attorney for Demi Moore's character in the 2007 thriller Mr. Brooks.
On a personal note, Cole has been married three times and has two children from his first marriage and a daughter from his second marriage. He has been married to Shelley Funes since 1996, and with her support, he overcame his alcoholism through intervention and has remained sober ever since.
3) Peggy Lipton
Margaret Ann Lipton was an American actress, model, and singer known for her role as Julie Barnes in the crime drama series "The Mod Squad." She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama in 1970 for her performance. After "The Mod Squad," Lipton took a hiatus from acting to raise her two children and was married to musician Quincy Jones.
Lipton was born in New York City to an upper-middle-class Jewish family. She began her career as a model and signed a contract with Universal Pictures after moving to Los Angeles. She made appearances in various television shows during the 1960s before landing her breakthrough role in "The Mod Squad." Lipton's portrayal of Julie Barnes, a vulnerable and fashionable flower child, made her an icon of the era.
Following her time on "The Mod Squad," Lipton took a 15-year break from acting. She returned to television in 1988 and gained attention for her role in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks." Lipton continued to appear in TV shows, including recurring roles in "Crash" and "Popular." In 2017, she reprised her role as Norma Jennings in the revival of "Twin Peaks."
Lipton also pursued a singing career, with several of her singles charting on Billboard. She co-wrote the hit song "L.A. Is My Lady" with her husband Quincy Jones and the Bergmans. Lipton's personal life included a brief association with Paul McCartney and a struggle with depression and drug use in her youth. She and Quincy Jones had two daughters before separating and divorcing in the late 1980s.
Margaret Ann Lipton passed away in 2019 at the age of 72 due to colon cancer.
4) Tige Andrews
Tige Andrews, born Tiger Androwas, was an American character actor known for his roles in the crime drama television series The Mod Squad and "The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor." He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Syrian parents and grew up in Middlesex, New Jersey. Andrews served in the United States Army during World War II and later graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
His career began on Broadway, and he made his film debut in the 1955 adaptation of "Mister Roberts." Andrews gained critical acclaim for his role in the off-Broadway revival of "The Threepenny Opera" and also directed the production in Arizona. Throughout the 1960s, he appeared in numerous television series, including "The Phil Silvers Show," "The Fugitive," and "Star Trek."
Andrews's most notable roles were Lieutenant Johnny Russo in "The Detectives" and Captain Adam Greer in "The Mod Squad." He received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his work in The Mod Squad and won a Logie Award. Andrews appeared with his fellow "Mod Squad" cast members in a made-for-television film in 1979. After the series ended, he continued to make guest appearances on various television shows.
In addition to acting, Andrews was also a painter and singer. He exhibited his artwork in Los Angeles galleries and released two songs on his Tiger Records label. Andrews was married twice, first to Josephine Phillips and then to Norma Thornton, with whom he had six children. He passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 86 in Encino, California.
5) Barbara Rush
Barbara Rush is an American actress known for her roles in film and television. She won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her performance in the 1953 science-fiction film "It Came from Outer Space." Rush had a successful career in both mediums, appearing in TV series such as "Peyton Place," "All My Children," and "7th Heaven," as well as films like "The Young Philadelphians," "The Young Lions," "Robin and the 7 Hoods," and "Hombre."
Born in Denver, Rush grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and studied at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She started her acting career in the university's theatre program before signing with Paramount Pictures. Her screen debut came in 1950, and she went on to star in notable films such as "When Worlds Collide" (1951) and "Flaming Feather" (1952). Her performance in "Bigger Than Life" (1956) alongside James Mason received critical acclaim.
Rush continued to work on stage throughout her career and received the Sarah Siddons Award for her role in "Forty Carats" in 1970. She also brought her one-woman play, "A Woman of Independent Means," to Broadway in 1984. In television, Rush appeared in various TV movies, miniseries, and shows like "Peyton Place" and "All My Children." She often portrayed strong-willed women of means and occasionally played villainous roles.
In her personal life, Rush has been married three times. Her first marriage was to actor Jeffrey Hunter, and they divorced in 1955. She then married publicist Warren Cowan in 1959, but they divorced in 1969. Her third marriage was to sculptor Jim Gruzalski in 1970, but they divorced in 1973. Rush has two children, Christopher Hunter, and Claudia Cowan, and she currently resides in Beverly Hills, California.
6) Marion Ross
Marion Ross is an American actress known for her role as Marion Cunningham on the sitcom Happy Days. She starred on the show from 1974 to 1984 and received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her performance. Prior to Happy Days, Ross appeared in various films such as The Glenn Miller Story, Sabrina, and Lust for Life. She also had minor roles in television shows like The Lone Ranger and The Donna Reed Show. In the 1990s, Ross gained recognition for her voice-over work in animated series like King of the Hill and SpongeBob SquarePants.
She had recurring roles on The Drew Carey Show, Gilmore Girls, and Brothers & Sisters. Ross was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in the film The Evening Star and received Emmy nominations for her performances on Brooklyn Bridge and Touched by an Angel.
In 2021, Ross announced her retirement from acting but has made occasional appearances in online projects. She resides in California and was married to actor Paul Michael. Ross and her Happy Days co-stars filed a lawsuit against CBS in 2011, claiming unpaid merchandising revenue, which was later settled.
7) Val Avery
Sebouh Der Abrahamian, professionally known as Val Avery, was an American character actor recognized for his extensive work in both movies and television. With a career spanning 50 years, Avery appeared in over 100 films and more than 300 television episodes.
Born in Philadelphia to Armenian parents, Avery engaged in Armenian Youth Federation plays during his early years. After serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, he pursued his passion for acting and attended the Bessie V. Hicks School of Drama in Philadelphia.
Avery was often cast in tough or working-class roles, portraying characters such as policemen, thugs, mobsters, bartenders, and blue-collar workers. He made notable appearances in television shows like "The Twilight Zone," "Columbo," "The Untouchables," "The Fugitive," "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossible," and "Law & Order."
In the film industry, Avery had an uncredited debut role in "The Harder They Fall" (1956), Humphrey Bogart's final film. He collaborated with director John Cassavetes on multiple occasions, appearing in films like "Too Late Blues," "Faces," "Minnie and Moskowitz," "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie," and "Gloria." Avery's film credits also include "The Magnificent Seven," "Hud," "Papillon," "The Wanderers," "The Pope of Greenwich Village," "Cobra," and "Donnie Brasco."
On Broadway, Avery participated in a successful revival of "The Front Page" in 1969-1970. He was married to actress Margot Stevenson, and their daughter, Margot Avery, also pursued a career in acting. Val Avery passed away on December 12, 2009, at the age of 85 in his home in the Greenwich Village area of New York City.
8) Victor Buono
Victor Charles Buono (February 3, 1938 – January 1, 1982) was an American actor known for his portrayal of King Tut in the TV series Batman and Edwin Flagg in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? He had a successful career playing older characters due to his size and deep voice. Buono's father was imprisoned for murder, and his maternal grandmother, a vaudeville performer, encouraged his interest in acting.
He began his career in theater and later transitioned to films and television. Buono received an Academy Award nomination for his role in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? He appeared in various films including Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, and The Greatest Story Ever Told. Buono had numerous television appearances, playing villains of different ethnicities.
He portrayed Count Manzeppi in The Wild Wild West and had recurring roles in Perry Mason and The Odd Couple. Buono also released comedy albums and a book of comic poetry. In the late 1970s, he appeared on Taxi as the father of Reverend Jim Ignatowski. Buono passed away from a heart attack in 1982. Despite being closeted, he lived with boyfriends and was known for his culinary skills and love for Shakespeare.
9) Robert Broyles
Robert Houston Broyles (January 20, 1933 - February 12, 2011) was an American character actor, drama teacher, theatre director, and writer. He appeared in various television shows and films throughout his career. Born in Sparta, Tennessee, Broyles served in the U.S. Navy before attending Ohio State University. He started his acting career in the 1960s and made appearances on shows like Bonanza, My Three Sons, and The Mod Squad.
He also acted in movies such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Poltergeist. Broyles worked as a drama coach, writer, and director in addition to his acting roles. He wrote plays and a novel and directed productions like "The Love Talker." He continued to offer acting classes called Total Acting Class until his passing in 2011 at the age of 78.
10) Yvonne Craig
Yvonne Joyce Craig (May 16, 1937 – August 17, 2015) was an American actress and ballerina best known for her role as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in the 1960s TV series Batman. She also appeared in films such as It Happened at the World's Fair and Kissin' Cousins, as well as the Star Trek episode "Whom Gods Destroy." Craig was considered a pioneer for female superheroes on television.
She began her career as a ballerina with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo before transitioning to acting. Craig had various TV and film roles throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including guest appearances on popular shows like Perry Mason, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and The Ghost & Mrs. Muir.
She continued to act sporadically after her role as Batgirl and later worked as a producer and real estate broker. Craig passed away at the age of 78 due to breast cancer that had spread to her liver.
Mod Squad Cast
Michael Cole
Pete Cochran
Peggy Lipton
Julie Barnes
Clarence Williams III
Linc Hayes
Tige Andrews
Captain Adam Greer
Barbara Rush
Mrs. Hamilton
Marion Ross
Louise Johnson
Val Avery
Briggs
Victor Buono
Alexander Vlahos
Lesley Ann Warren
Virginia Wells
Robert Broyles
N/A
Yvonne Craig
Lila Mason
Ed Nelson
Johnny Stringer
William Schallert
Father Bob Hughes
Art Metrano
Parking Lot Attendant
Stanley Kamel
Nick Harris
Clu Gulager
Dustin Ellis
Cast Name
Character Name
Mod Squad Cast Where are They Now - FAQ
Check the article above to know where the Mod Squad Cast are now.
Michael Cole cast the role of Pete Cochran.
Peggy Lipton cast the role of Julie Barnes.
Clarence Williams III cast the role of Linc Hayes.
Tige Andrews cast the role of Captain Adam Greer.