Tige Andrews, 86, ‘Mod Squad’ Actor, Dies
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 12, 2007
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11 (AP) — Tige Andrews, the Emmy-nominated character actor who portrayed a police captain in charge of a trio of hip, young crime fighters in “The Mod Squad,” died on Jan. 27 at his home in the San Fernando Valley. He was 86.
The cause was a heart attack, his family said.
Mr. Andrews often played detectives during his long television career, most prominently Capt. Adam Greer on “The Mod Squad” in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It starred Clarence Williams III, Michael Cole and Peggy Lipton.
“He felt the show made a big difference because it was one of the first television series to address social issues, such as drugs, prostitution and teen pregnancy, that were more hush-hush before that time,” said Barbara Andrews, one of Mr. Andrews’s children.
He is also survived by his other children, John, Gina, Steve, Julianna and Tony; and 11 grandchildren. His wife of 46 years, Norma Thornton, died in 1996.
Tiger Andrews was born on March 19, 1920, in Brooklyn; he was named after a strong animal to ensure good health, following a Syrian custom.
Mr. Andrews was wounded while serving in the Army during World War II and later graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
In 1955 he appeared in the Off Broadway revival of “The Threepenny Opera.” Later that year the director
John Ford cast him in the film version of “Mister Roberts” after seeing his performance in the Broadway play. Family members said that Mr. Ford was a major influence on Mr. Andrews.
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