Sat 3 Feb 2007
Obituary: TIGE ANDREWS (1920-2007)
Posted by Steve under Crime Fiction IV , Obituaries / Deaths Noted , TV mysteries[7] Comments
From the L.A. Times comes word of the death of Tige Andrews:
Andrews, who often played detectives during a TV career that spanned five decades, died of cardiac arrest Jan. 27 at his longtime home in Encino, his family said.
Mr. Andrews was born Tiger Androwaous on March 19, 1920 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His parents, immigrants from Syria, reportedly named him after a strong animal to guarantee good health.
From VARIETY, some more about his career:
Of the most interest to crime fiction fans, other series on which Mr. Andrews appeared are the ones below, beginning with his earliest. These are all guest appearances, although some may also have been short recurring roles:
Kraft Mystery Theater, Inner Sanctum, U. S. Marshal, Playhouse 90 (as Frank Nitti), The Grand Jury, The Lawless Years, The Fugitive, The FBI, Police Story, Police Woman, Kojak, Vega$, CHiPs, Quincy M.E., Hawaiian Heat, Street Hawk, and Sledge Hammer!
“One white…one black…one blonde.”
Aimed at the youth market, The Mod Squad, in which three troubled youngsters fight crime as undercover agents for the police, was one of the those TV programs that was on the air at exactly the right time and struck precisely the right chord for its viewers. As a precursor to several such series that followed, such as 21 Jump Street, The Mod Squad was on for five seasons between 1968 and 1973.
From the Mod Squad “unofficial” home page:
More from the same source. I should apologize for quoting as much as I am here, perhaps, but why not, when someone else has said it this well:
While the Mod Squad were “fuzz,” they certainly weren’t “pigs.” Being from the Flower-Children era, they didn’t carry guns; instead, they wore beads and hip clothing and used the slang of the day: “groovy,” “keep the faith” and, most notably, “solid.”
It was Tige Andrews as the straighter and narrower Captain Greer that pulled the show together, however. As the man in charge, he acted as both a mentor and father figure to the threesome. Gruff but caring, he added the essential balance which helped make the series a success.
Mr. Andrews’ last appearance on television was on Murder, She Wrote, January 6, 1991, in an episode entitled “Family Doctor.” IMDB states that he played the role of Carmine Abruzzi, but that seems to be in error.
From the online All Movie Guide comes both a synopsis and a revisionist approach to the credits:
Newell Alexander: FBI Agent Zweiback
Tige Andrews: Lt. Marino
Cynthia Bain: Denise Abruzzi
Joe Cortese: Carmine Abruzzi
Rose Gregorio: Rosa Abruzzi
Vince Irizarry: Michael Abruzzi
Personally, I like the All Movie Guide’s version better. I’d greatly prefer that the last time Mr. Andrews’ appeared in a movie or on television, it was as a cop, rather than as a villain. Not that he didn’t play villains during his career, I understand that, but it’s as a policeman that he’ll always be remembered.
—
MOD SQUAD – The Books
* Richard Deming:
o The Greek God Affair (n.) Pyramid 1968
o A Groovy Way to Die (n.) Pyramid 1968
o The Sock-It-to-Em Murders (n.) Pyramid 1968
o Assignment: The Arranger (n.) Whitman 1969
o Spy-In (n.) Pyramid 1969
o Assignment: The Hideout (n.) Whitman 1970
o The Hit (n.) Pyramid 1970
* William Johnston:
o Home Is Where the Quick Is (n.) Pinnacle 1971
Data from Crime Fiction IV, by Allen J. Hubin.
September 17th, 2007 at 1:01 am
I did not hear that Mr. Andrews had died until I saw the “In Memorium” piece on the Emmys tonight. I knew him from the Mod Squad, a show that meant a great deal to me in my early teen-aged days. He was solid, he was believable, he was the real deal. May he rest in peace and be remembered as fondly I do.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:36 am
This show and Tige Andrews, who played father figure Adam Greer, meant a great deal to me in my formative years. I grew up in a household with an alcoholic father who was not a model dad, and Tige Andrews’ portryal of Greer was so real and tough yet loving that I believed three ‘mod’ troubled kids would love him and respect him. He was, it seems, a lot like that in real life. May he rest in peace. He brought a lot of enjoyment to many people and comfort and entertainment to me.
June 28th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I think that he did a very good job on the show because I had like watching the show with all of them on there. He know what he was doing. but most of all he rest in peace. I just wish that there would do something in his name.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:13 am
we agree.. Tige Andrews, who played a father figure Adam Greer..did a wonderful job..he also did alot of charity work,for special olympics..he also did alot to help..with the womens abuse shelters..may he rest in peace..and god give his family always comfort & peace…
May 20th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I loved his character so much I named my son Tige after him… I was hoping that his great character would come along with the name…. And it did.
January 25th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
His son was in our scout troop in Encino when I was a kid. I can remember him on one of the “father and son” camp outs at Jubilee Scout Ranch teaching us all how to play poker. He had a 2 day growth and looked really ruff. Just like a movie detective. It was a great time and he was a cool guy.
April 27th, 2021 at 9:44 pm
I watched a lot of TV even while during my Homework as a teenager. I need background TV or Radio while working.. Even to this day at 62 years old. I enjoyed watching Mod Squad…
It showed me that young people. White Guy, Black Guy & Good Looking Girl All Working Together with A Cop? Tige Andrews as a Mentor for this threesome of young people. Showed teenagers Cops Are O.K. and mean good,Not Evel as they are protrayed today. M.T.