Ron Pinkard

A former Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, Ron Pinkard is best known for his role as a doctor on the 1970s action show "Emergency!," an early example of a prominent role for an African-American actor. A native of Denver, Pinkard got his start in 1969 on the procedural crime show "Dragnet 1967," produced by Jack Webb. He also made several guest appearances as an agent on the true-crime drama "The F.B.

I" in the same period and had his first physician role in the short-lived series "The Bold Ones: The New Doctors." Other guest roles in prominent 1970s dramas--including appearances on detective show "Ironside"-- led to a recurring role on "Emergency!," a show about the daily adventures of an L.A. paramedic team. After six seasons on the successful show, he reprised his role in two 1978 TV movies. Afterwards he made a handful of guest appearances on TV and in films and was a technical advisor on the navy-themed war film "Flight of the Intruder."