Edward Mulhare was a versatile and charming actor who starred in many stage, film, and television productions. He is best remembered for his roles as Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, Captain Gregg in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Devon Miles in Knight Rider. He died on May 24, 1997, at his home in Van Nuys, California, after a five-month struggle with lung cancer. He was 74 years old.
A Life on Stage and Screen
Edward Mulhare was born on April 8, 1923, in Cork, Ireland. He developed an interest in acting at a young age and joined the local theatre group. He later moved to London, where he worked with renowned actors and directors such as Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, and John Gielgud. He made his film debut in 1955 in Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer, the first feature film produced in Israel.
In 1957, he replaced Rex Harrison as the lead in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady, a role he played for three years and over 1,000 performances. He also toured internationally with the show, including a visit to Russia. He continued to appear in other Broadway plays, such as Devil’s Advocate and Mary, Mary.
He also made a name for himself in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Von Ryan’s Express, Our Man Flint, Caprice, and Eye of the Devil. His most recent movie, Out to Sea, a comedy starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, was released posthumously in July 1997.
He was also a familiar face on television, guest-starring in shows such as Daniel Boone, Twelve O’Clock High, Murder, She Wrote, MacGyver, and Outer Limits. He had two memorable roles as the lead in the supernatural sitcom The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, where he played a ghostly sea captain who haunts a widow, and the action-adventure series Knight Rider, where he played the mentor and boss of a crime-fighter with a talking car. His last television appearance was in December 1996, in an episode of Baywatch Nights, opposite his former co-star David Hasselhoff.
A Battle with Lung Cancer
Edward Mulhare was a heavy smoker for most of his life. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 1996, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He remained optimistic and hopeful about his recovery, and continued to work until a few weeks before his death. He was surrounded by his friends and family when he passed away at his home on May 24, 1997. He never married and had no children. He is survived by his two brothers, Thomas and John, who live in Ireland.
His death was mourned by his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented, gracious, and generous person. He was also praised for his contributions to the entertainment industry and his support for various charitable causes. He was dedicated to an episode of Team Knight Rider, a spin-off of his popular show, in his memory.
Edward Mulhare cause of death was lung cancer, but his legacy lives on in his many memorable performances and his warm personality. He was a true gentleman and a star of stage and screen. He will be missed by many.
