Actor Roger E. Mosley, best known as Tom Selleck's helicopter pilot pal Theodore “T.C.” Calvin on the original Magnum P.I. television series, has died at the age of 83.

According to Deadline, Mosley passed away on the morning of Sunday, August 8. The actor was involved in a car accident in Lynwood, CA, three days earlier and was left paralyzed from the shoulders down. Mosley died from his injuries at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center three days later.

Born in 1938, Mosley got his acting start in the early 1970s, appearing in such films as Hickey & Boggs, The Mack and Sweet Jesus, and Preacherman. He first collaborated with Selleck in the 1973 thriller Terminal Island and went on to play the title role in Gordon Parks' Leadbelly in 1976.

In 1980, Mosley was cast as T.C. on CBS' Magnum P.I. The character served as Magnum's go-to pilot who ran the Hawaii-based helicopter charter and tour van service called "Island Hoppers." Despite being a real-life certificated private helicopter pilot, Mosley was not allowed to perform his own stunts on the show. Mosley played the role for eight seasons and 158 episodes before the series finale in May 1988.

Following Magnum's cancellation, Mosley turned to supporting roles in major theatrical films, including Heart Condition, Unlawful Entry featuring the late Ray Liotta and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. Additionally, Mosley made special guest spots on classic television shows such as Night Court, Hangin' with Mister Cooper and HBO's Arli$$. He reunited with Magnum co-star Selleck in Season 5 of NBC's Las Vegas, where he played an old billionaire pal of Selleck's Montecito owner character, A.J. Cooper.

Mosley retired from show business in the early 2010s. He had continued to appear at conventions and mini-Magnum reunions with co-star Larry Manetti. In 2019, Mosley came out of retirement to cameo in the Magnum, P.I. reboot episode "A Kiss Before Dying." He played John Booky, the barber of the reboot's T.C. (Stephen Hill). At the time of the episode's broadcast, Hill expressed his excitement about having the veteran actor appear on the show. "Working with Roger E. Mosley was an inspiring way to begin Black History Month," Hill 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 is survived by his wife, Antoinette, and their three children.

Source: Deadline