India, July 11 -- Randolph Mantooth, the actor who became a television icon as paramedic John Gage in NBC's Emergency!, has died at the age of 80. He died on July 9 at a hospice facility in Ventura, California, following a long illness, according to his brother.

Mantooth was diagnosed with cancer in 2015.

His family confirmed that he is survived by his wife, Kristen Mantooth, and siblings Donald and Tonya.

Mantooth became a household name in 1972 when he was cast opposite Kevin Tighe in Emergency!. The NBC drama ran for six seasons and followed the lives of Los Angeles County paramedics. Social media users have credited the series with introducing millions of Americans to the relatively new profession of paramedicine.

Mantooth perform...