Roger E. Mosley
Roger Earl Mosley (; born December 18, 1938) is an American actor, director and writer best known for his role as the helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin in the CBS television series "Magnum, P.I." which originally aired from 1980 until 1988. Biography. Early life and education. Mosley was born in Los Angeles, California to Eloise Harris. Mosley grew up in the Imperial Courts public housing in the Watts neighborhood. For high school, Mosley attended Jordan High School. Career. Mosley appeared as Monk in "Terminal Island" (1973). Other actors in the feature were Phyllis Davis, Don Marshall, Ena Hartman  and Tom Selleck, who would later star in the television series "Magnum, P.I." In 1974, Mosley founded the Watts Repertory Company. Mosley's most prominent film role was his 1976 starring turn as the title character in "Leadbelly", directed by Gordon Parks. In an article in the November 1982 issue of "Ebony" magazine, it was revealed that this was his favorite role. Mosely appeared in "Magnum, P.I." as Tom Selleck's friend and helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin, who operates his own tourist charter, "Island Hoppers", from 1980 to 1988. He appeared in season five of "Las Vegas" as the  billionaire friend of Montecito owner A.J. Cooper (Tom Selleck). Mosley came out of retirement and appeared on the Magnum, P.I. reboot episode "A Kiss Before Dying" as Booky, T.C.'s barber, on March 11, 2019. Stephen Hill, who played T.C. in the new series, said, "It is truly an honor for us to welcome an original cast member of "Magnum, P.I."; one who embodied the role of T.C. with such thoughtful and dignified talent." Mosley has guest-starred on such shows as "Night Court", "Kung Fu", "Starsky and Hutch", "Kojak", "The Rockford Files", "Baretta", and "Sanford and Son"; he also  played a role in "". Mosley made a memorable appearance in the 1973 film "The Mack" as the militant brother of the main character Goldie. He appeared in other blaxploitation films including "Hit Man" (1972), "Sweet Jesus, Preacherman" (1973), "Darktown Strutters" (1975), and "The River Niger" (1976). His other film credits include "McQ" (1974) with John Wayne, "The Greatest" (1977, as Sonny Liston), "Semi-Tough" (1977), "Heart Condition" (1990) and "Pentathlon" (1994). He also starred in the television series "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" (1992-1993) as Coach Ricketts in a recurring role with comedian/actor Mark Curry, and in the film  A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (1996) with Martin Lawrence, Lynn Whitfield, and Bobby Brown. He also appeared as a celebrity guest on "The $25,000 Pyramid" for a week's worth of shows in July 1983, July 1984, and June 1985. Mosley played a cameo role in the new "Magnum P.I." series in 2018 and 2021. Personal. Mosley has three children and has been in a relationship with Toni Laudermick since 1976. Mosley is a licensed private helicopter pilot in real life, but when on the set of "Magnum P.I." he was not allowed to do his own stunts ; a pilot wearing a body stocking with false muscles would be used instead. At the 2013 HAI Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, a ceremony for the restored MD 500D helicopter was held. Both Mosley and fellow Magnum P.I. co-star Larry Manetti autographed the nose of the helicopter.