Jack De Mave, who portrayed Forest Ranger Bob Erickson on the CBS television series “Lassie” and appeared in numerous classic TV shows spanning four decades, died on January 16, 2025, in hospice care in Macon, Georgia. He was 91.
De Mave suffered a heart attack on Thanksgiving Day before his death, according to his friend Vickie Lovett, who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a kind, generous, and enjoyable person to be around,” Lovett said.
Born John Francois De Mave on December 8, 1933, in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was influenced by his father’s boxing career as a heavyweight contender. After witnessing a performance by Paul Muni, De Mave chose to pursue acting instead of following his father’s footsteps into the boxing ring. He received classical and contemporary theater training from Mary Welch and Lee Strasberg, focusing on method acting techniques that would shape his future performances.
His professional stage debut came opposite Inger Stevens in “Picnic,” which led to collaborations with acclaimed actors, including Laurence Olivier and Noel Coward, in productions such as “Mr. Roberts,” “The Visit,” and “Dial M for Murder.” These early theater experiences established De Mave as a versatile character actor capable of handling dramatic and lighter roles.
De Mave’s television career began in 1962 with his first credited role in “Surfside 6.” Throughout the 1960s, he built a solid reputation as a reliable television actor, making appearances on popular shows including “Wagon Train,” “The F.B.I.,” “Daniel Boone,” “F Troop,” “Adam-12,” and “The Fugitive.”
In 1968, he landed his most recognizable role as Forest Ranger Bob Erickson on “Lassie,” which he played for two seasons. The role showcased his ability to connect with his human co-stars and the famous collie. His character became known for his dedication to preserving wildlife and protecting the forest, themes that resonated with audiences during his tenure on the show.
Following his stint on “Lassie,” De Mave continued to work steadily in television, appearing on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as an unconventional date for Rhoda Morgenstern, “Funny Face,” “The Doris Day Show,” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” His versatility as an actor allowed him to move effortlessly between drama and comedy throughout his career.
His film work included significant roles in “Blindfold” (1966) alongside Rock Hudson, “1776” (1972), and “The Man Without a Face” (1993) with Mel Gibson. In the 1970s, he became a familiar face to television audiences as The Lone Ranger in a series of popular Frito-Lay commercials, which ran nationally for several years.
Later in his career, De Mave transitioned to daytime television, taking on substantial roles in soap operas. He portrayed Dr. Gregory Eldridge in “Days of Our Lives”. He later appeared as Cal Clinton in “The Bold and the Beautiful,” demonstrating his ability to adapt to the unique demands of daily television production.
De Mave was married to Camille De Mave from 1963 until she died in 2013. She worked as an assistant for acclaimed actors and directors Paul Newman and George Roy Hill, contributing to several major Hollywood productions. Their marriage lasted 50 years, spanning most of De Mave’s acting career.
His final residence was in Macon, Georgia, where he spent his later years before entering hospice care following the Thanksgiving Day heart attack in 2024.
