Gavin MacLeod became well-known to most of us through his role as the captain of the Love Boat, but he enjoyed a very fruitful career in Hollywood throughout the ’60s and ’70s, and his new memoir details some of the best–and worst–times of his life.

MacLeod, who played Captain Stubing on the beloved show for ten years, talks about the famous faces that came and went in his life–including movie star Bette Davis–in “This Is Your Captain Speaking”. He says Davis was every bit the “star” after he invited her to dinner and ended up insulting his wife and arguing with another guest. And while the night didn’t go as planned, he says he got a great story out of it.

“We got a good story and a good laugh out of it,” he writes.

The 82-year old actor also talks about the lowest times in his personal life, including poor health–he’s suffered two heart attacks–and battling an alcohol addiction that ultimately ruined his marriage. Now, he says, he’s “grateful” that he was given another opportunity at life after coming through such hard times.

“That’s a big word in my life,” said MacLeod. “I’m just so grateful I’ve had another day, another day, another day, and that my kids are doing so well.”

MacLeod, who was a regular on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Hogan’s Heroes”, says he’s done with acting unless it has a decidedly Christian theme. The actor is a born-again Christian, something he shares with his longtime wife Patti Steele.

“That’s the only thing I want to do now. There’s a great purpose to doing those films. Nothing else interests me,” he said.

Image: KMIR