“The Love Boat” soon will be making another run — to Hollywood Boulevard.
The original cast of the comedy-romance that ran for nearly a decade on ABC, carrying celebrity guests on weekly trips to exotic ports-o-call and putting cruises on vacation wish-lists across the country, will be recognized along with Princess Cruises next week with an honorary star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Being honored at the May 10 ceremony in front of the Dolby Theatre will be Gavin MacLeod, the “Love Boat” captain; Jill Whelan, the captain’s daughter; Ted Lange, who played bartender Isaac; ship’s doctor Bernie Kopell; Lauren Tewes, who portrayed cruise director Julie; and Fred Grandy, who played ship’s purser Gopher and later was elected to Congress.
The honorary star will also pay homage to Princess Cruises, the home cruise line of “The Love Boat,” not only for the line’s place in television history but also for the company’s support of efforts to preserve the Walk of Fame, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
“The Love Boat” ran on ABC from 1977 to 1986, and lived on through several TV specials after the show ended its run.