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Gerald McRaney’s career spans stage, screen and television, but it was in the 1980s that he became a household name. Born in Collins, Mississippi, he left the Louisiana oil fields and, after training and a string of guest appearances in 1970s television, broke through as Rick Simon opposite Jameson Parker in the CBS detective series Simon & Simon (1981–1989). The show established him as a reliably charismatic leading man capable of blending wit with grit. Following this success, he headlined Major Dad (1989–1993), a family-oriented sitcom that broadened his appeal beyond genre-bound roles. In later years, McRaney built a formidable presence across prestige drama and television films, with recurring roles in Deadwood, Jericho, Longmire and House of Cards, and a celebrated run on This Is Us for which he earned an Emmy. His sustained versatility remains a defining hallmark of late‑20th‑ and early‑21st‑century American television.”

... Gerald McRaney was born in Collins, Mississippi, and grew up in a family that valued practical work; he even spent time in the Louisiana oil fields before committing to acting. He studied at the University of Mississippi and began with small-screen appearances and a film debut in Night of Bloody Horror (1969). Through the 1970s he built a sturdy repertoire in guest roles on Westerns and crime dramas, gradually moving into recurring parts. His breakthrough came with Simon & Simon (1981–1989), where he and Jameson Parker forged a popular CBS pairing as brothers-in-detective‑work, anchoring a decade of adventure‑driven television. He then led Major Dad (1989–1993), reinforcing his range from action‑leaning heroes to family‑friendly leads. Across the 1990s and 2000s he diversified into miniseries, television films and prestige drama, notably Deadwood, House of Cards, Longmire and This Is Us, the latter earning him an Emmy. McRaney’s legacy rests on a long, adaptable screen career characterized by reliability, warmth and authoritative gravitas.” Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s McRaney became a household name after breaking through as Rick Simon opposite Jameson Parker on CBS’s Simon & Simon (1981–1989), a role that showcased his ability to blend wit and grit as a charismatic leading man. The show's success established him as a reliable TV star, and by the close of the decade he expanded his appeal with the family sitcom Major Dad, which debuted in 1989. His steady work throughout the decade transformed him from a frequent guest player into a bankable lead and set the foundation for a long, varied career in both drama and comedy. Now (2026) As of 2026 McRaney remains an active and respected presence in television, taking recurring roles on prestige dramas and television films and earning an Emmy for his later work on This Is Us. He has translated his 1980s prominence into a reputation as a versatile character actor, with notable runs on shows such as Deadwood, Jericho, Longmire and House of Cards. Widely regarded as an enduring figure of late‑20th‑ and early‑21st‑century American television, his legacy is one of longevity, adaptability and steady craft. Career timeline 1947 Born Gerald Lee McRaney in Collins, Mississippi. 1969 Film debut in Night of Bloody Horror, as Wesley Stuart. 1979 Appeared in Roots: The Next Generations as Harry Owens. 1981–1989 Became a familiar face as Rick Simon on Simon & Simon (CBS). 1984 Appeared in The NeverEnding Story as Barney Bux. 1989–1993 Headlined Major Dad as Major John D. MacGillis. 2006 Joined Jericho as Johnston Green. 2012–2015 Portrayed Barlow Connally in Longmire. 2013–2017 Co-starred as Raymond Tusk in House of Cards. 2014–present Periodically appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles as Hollace Kilbride. 2016–2022 Played Dr. Nathan Katowski in This Is Us; earned Primetime Emmy Award. Interview and reference sources Discussed Emmy success with This Is Us.Deadline Spoke about being promoted to series regular on NCIS: Los Angeles.TV Insider Biographical and credit details were checked against Wikipedia – Gerald McRaney, Deadline – Gerald McRaney on Emmy Success with This Is Us, TV Insider – Gerald McRaney Promoted to Series Regular on NCIS: Los Angeles.