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| '''Jeff MacKay''' (20 October 1948 – 22 August 2008) was an American actor who portrayed Corporal [[Komma]] in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]' "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]," "[[Fire in Space]]," and "[[Murder on the Rising Star]]."
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| == Career ==
| | '''Jeff MacKay''' (born 20 October 1948, died 22 August 2008) was an American actor. |
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| Born in [[w:Dallas, Texas|Dallas, Texas]], MacKay's interest in acting was sparked by his cousin, actor [[w:Robert Redford|Robert Redford]], who helped him secure his Screen Actors Guild membership with a role in the 1976 motion picture ''[[w:All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_mackay_biography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533171/bio/#:~:text=His%20cousin%20Robert%20Redford%20got%20him%20interested%20in%20acting%20and%20helped%20him%20get%20his%20Screen%20Actors%20Guild%20card%20with%20a%20part%20in%20All%20the%20President's%20Men|title=Jeff MacKay - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> MacKay studied at the [[w:Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre|Neighborhood Playhouse]] in New York to develop his acting skills.<ref group="external" name="variety_mackay_obituary_neighborhood">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/news/actor-jeff-mackay-dies-at-60-1117991093/#:~:text=Born%20in%20Dallas%2C%20he%20studied%20at%20the%20Neighborhood%20Playhouse%20in%20New%20York|title=Actor Jeff MacKay dies at 60|author=Variety Staff|publisher=Variety|date=25 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> | | Born in [[w:Dallas, Texas|Dallas, Texas]], MacKay's cousin, actor [[w:Robert Redford|Robert Redford]], got MacKay interested in acting, aiding him in getting his Screen Actors Guild membership with a role in the motion picture, ''All the President's Men''. |
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| MacKay's most prominent television role was Lieutenant Donald "Mac" MacReynolds in 24 episodes of the CBS detective drama ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'' (1980–1988).<ref group="external" name="thr_mackay_obituary_magnum">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/obituaries-118147/#:~:text=played%20Lieutenant%20%E2%80%9CMac%E2%80%9D%20MacReynolds%20in%2024%20episodes%20of%201980%2D88%20CBS%20series%20%E2%80%9CMagnum|title=Obituaries|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> His character was notably killed off when blown up in Magnum's Ferrari, but MacKay soon returned to play a different character—a con man who coincidentally looked like Mac.<ref group="external" name="thr_mackay_obituary_magnum" /> | | MacKay portrayed Corporal [[Komma]] in "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]" and "[[Murder on the Rising Star]]," as well as a crewmember fighting the fire in "[[Fire in Space]]". |
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| Prior to his ''Magnum, P.I.'' success, MacKay was a regular cast member on the NBC war drama series ''[[w:Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)|Baa Baa Black Sheep]]'' (later retitled ''Black Sheep Squadron''), which aired from September 1976 to April 1978.<ref group="external" name="epguides_black_sheep_cast">{{cite web|url=https://epguides.com/BlackSheepSquadron/#:~:text=Jeff%20MacKay%20as%20Lt.%20Donald%20%22Don%22%20French|title=Black Sheep Squadron (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)|publisher=epguides.com|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> He portrayed First Lieutenant Donald "Don" French, a pilot in the fictional Marine Attack Squadron 214 during World War II.<ref group="external" name="epguides_black_sheep_cast" />
| | MacKay's most memorable television role was the character of Lieutenant 'Mac' MacReynolds in 24 episodes of the TV detective drama, ''[[w:Magnum P.I.|Magnum P.I.]]'' |
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| Following ''Magnum, P.I.'', MacKay reunited with producer [[Don Bellisario]] on the ABC adventure series ''[[w:Tales of the Gold Monkey|Tales of the Gold Monkey]]'' (1982–1983), playing Corky, the alcoholic mechanic and best friend to the main character Jake Cutter.<ref group="external" name="goldmonkey_character_description">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldmonkey.com/annual/#:~:text=Jake%27s%20friend%20Corky%20(JEFF%20MACKAY)%20is%20forgetful%20and%20drinks%20a%20bit%20too%20much%2C%20but%20he%27s%20the%20best%20mechanic%20around|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey Annual|publisher=GoldMonkey.com|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> MacKay appeared in all 22 episodes of the series, which was set in the South Pacific in 1938.<ref group="external" name="imdb_goldmonkey_mackay">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083488/fullcredits/#:~:text=Jeff%20MacKay,22%20episodes%20%E2%80%A2%201982%E2%80%931983|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
| | MacKay worked on [[Don Bellisario]]'s series ''[[w:JAG|JAG]]'' as well as the short-lived ''Tales of the Gold Monkey''. |
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| In a 2006 interview, MacKay revealed his character inspiration for Corky came from three sources: [[w:Thomas Mitchell (actor)|Thomas Mitchell]] in ''[[w:It's a Wonderful Life|It's a Wonderful Life]]'' and ''[[w:Only Angels Have Wings|Only Angels Have Wings]]'', [[w:Walter Brennan|Walter Brennan]] in ''[[w:To Have and Have Not (film)|To Have and Have Not]]'', and [[w:Curly Howard|Curly Howard]] of the [[w:Three Stooges|Three Stooges]].<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_character_inspiration">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_01.php#:~:text=Actually%2C%20there%20were%20three.%20Thomas%20Mitchell%20in%20It%27s%20a%20Wonderful%20Life%20and%20Only%20Angels%20Have%20Wings%2C%20Walter%20Brennan%20in%20To%20Have%20and%20Have%20Not%2C%20and%20Curly%20Howard%20of%20the%20Three%20Stooges|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> MacKay explained his approach: "I simply combined the aspects of the personalities of these characters with characteristics of my own personality. I love the helpless, but well-meaning characters such as Mitchell in both movies; I also loved Walter Brennan for his innocence; and of course, Curly Howard for his insane sense of humor."<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_character_inspiration" /> The role was specifically written for MacKay by Bellisario, with whom he had developed a close working relationship during their previous collaborations.<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_bellisario_friendship">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_01.php#:~:text=Don%20Bellisario%20and%20I%20were%20great%20friends%20and%20many%20times%20we%20shared%20a%20sushi%20lunch%20and%20discussed%20my%20upcoming%20character%20in%20Gold%20Monkey|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
| | MacKay died of liver failure in Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
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| MacKay's work on the series was recognized by his co-star [[w:Stephen Collins|Stephen Collins]], who played Jake Cutter. Collins noted in the same interview that while MacKay was known for his comedic abilities, "his performance as Corky could break your heart," recognizing the depth and range MacKay brought to what could have been a purely comic role.<ref group="commentary" name="collins_raider_interview_mackay_performance">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_02.php#:~:text=his%20performance%20as%20Corky%20could%20break%20your%20heart|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> MacKay and Collins developed a close friendship during production, with Collins recalling that MacKay was "one of the funniest people on earth" and that his favorite memories from the show involved spending time with MacKay in the cockpit of the Grumman Goose set, where they would "run our lines and just hang out and laugh a lot."<ref group="commentary" name="collins_raider_interview_mackay_friendship">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_02.php#:~:text=He%27s%20one%20of%20the%20funniest%20people%20on%20earth%20and%20my%20favorite%20memories%20are%20sitting%20in%20the%20cockpit%20with%20him%20and%20laughing%20our%20heads%20off|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
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| Regarding the series' lasting appeal, MacKay attributed its enduring cult following to "Good family values. Imagination. A return to more innocent times when integrity and goodwill meant something."<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_series_appeal">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_01.php#:~:text=Good%20family%20values.%20Imagination.%20A%20return%20to%20more%20innocent%20times%20when%20integrity%20and%20goodwill%20meant%20something|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> He also reflected on the production experience: "We also had a lot of fun making the series. I think that always shows in the final product."<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_series_appeal" />
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| MacKay also worked extensively on Bellisario's long-running military legal drama ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' (1995–2005), portraying Big Bud Roberts, father of series regular Bud Roberts.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_mackay_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29279826/jeff-mackay#:~:text=Big%20Bud%20Roberts%20on%20the%20series%20%22Jag|title=Jeff MacKay (1948-2008)|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
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| === Voice Acting ===
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| MacKay provided voice work for the animated series ''[[w:The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'', voicing the Aerialbot character Fireflight in eight episodes between 1985 and 1986.<ref group="external" name="imdb_mackay_transformers">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533171/#:~:text=1985%2D1986-,The%20Transformers,-Fireflight|title=Jeff MacKay|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> His work included episodes such as "War Dawn," "Cosmic Rust," and "Fight or Flee," as well as the direct-to-video feature ''Transformers: Five Faces of Darkness''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_mackay_transformers" />
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| === Additional Television and Film Work ===
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| MacKay's television career included appearances on numerous series, including ''[[w:The Greatest American Hero|The Greatest American Hero]]'', ''[[w:Airwolf|Airwolf]]'', and ''[[w:Dr. Shrinker|Dr. Shrinker]]'' (1976–1977), where he played Gordie Masterson.<ref group="external" name="thr_mackay_obituary_shows">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/obituaries-118147/#:~:text=also%20appeared%20as%20a%20regular%20on%20%22Battlestar%20Galactica%2C%22%20%22The%20Greatest%20American%20Hero%2C%22%20%22Airwolf|title=Obituaries|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> His film credits included ''Hot Summer in Barefoot County'' (1974), ''[[w:All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]'' (1976), and ''Songwriter'' (1984).<ref group="external" name="imdb_mackay_filmography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533171/|title=Jeff MacKay|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
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| Beyond screen work, MacKay performed in more than 100 theatrical productions throughout his career.<ref group="external" name="variety_mackay_obituary_theater">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/news/actor-jeff-mackay-dies-at-60-1117991093/#:~:text=He%20also%20performed%20in%20more%20than%20100%20plays|title=Actor Jeff MacKay dies at 60|author=Variety Staff|publisher=Variety|date=25 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
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| MacKay remained professionally active and thoughtful about the entertainment industry throughout his career. In a 2006 interview, he reflected on changes in Hollywood, noting that the industry had become "more of a corporate venture than an undertaking of imagination," adding that "creative decisions such as those made over the last few decades, made by uncreative people, is like hiring Rembrandt and then telling him how to paint."<ref group="commentary" name="mackay_raider_interview_hollywood_changes">{{cite web|url=http://www.theraider.net/features/interviews/gold_monkey_02.php#:~:text=I%20think%20as%20in%20most%20things%2C%20Hollywood%20has%20become%20more%20and%20more%20a%20commercial%20enterprise%20situation%20than%20it%20was%20when%20I%20started|title=Tales of the Gold Monkey interview|author=Stephen Jared|publisher=TheRaider.net|date=19 June 2006|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref>
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| == Death ==
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| MacKay died of liver failure on 22 August 2008 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 59.<ref group="external" name="variety_mackay_obituary_death">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/news/actor-jeff-mackay-dies-at-60-1117991093/#:~:text=died%20Aug.%2022%20from%20liver%20failure%20in%20Tulsa%2C%20Okla|title=Actor Jeff MacKay dies at 60|author=Variety Staff|publisher=Variety|date=25 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> He was survived by his father and two brothers.<ref group="external" name="variety_mackay_obituary_survivors">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/news/actor-jeff-mackay-dies-at-60-1117991093/#:~:text=MacKay%20is%20survived%20by%20his%20father%20and%20two%20brothers|title=Actor Jeff MacKay dies at 60|author=Variety Staff|publisher=Variety|date=25 August 2008|accessdate=18 January 2026}}</ref> | |
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| == References ==
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| === Commentary and Interviews ===
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| {{reflist|group=commentary}}
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| === External Sources ===
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| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| [[Category:Glen Larson Productions Cast and Crew]] | | [[Category:Glen Larson Productions Cast and Crew]] |
