This article is about the actor. For the American football player of the same name, see Gary Collins .

Gary Ennis Collins (born April 30, 1938) is an American film and television actor.

Early life and career

Collins was born in Venice, California to a waitress/factory worker mother. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe. He is known for his roles in the 1970 film Airport, in the 1965 The Wackiest Ship in the Army , in the 1969 Andy Griffith film, "Angel in My Pocket", and for starring in the 1972 television series The Sixth Sense as parapsychologist Dr. Michael Rhodes and in the 1974 television series Born Free as wildlife conservationist George Adamson.

Later in his career, Collins hosted a few television talk shows, including Hour Magazine and The Home Show. In 1993 during a segment about influenza vaccines, a physician guest mistakenly gave Sarah Purcell an injection with the same needle used on cohost Collins. Collins left during the show to undergo blood tests to determine his HIV and hepatitis status, which turned out to be negative.

Collins had been hosting the television infomercial gimmick "Winning in the Cash Flow Business" with Russ Dalbey since 2001.

Personal life

Collins has been married to Miss America, Mary Ann Mobley, since 1967 and their daughter, Mary Clancy Collins, is Senior Vice President of Development for MGM Television. He was previously married to Susan Peterson with whom he has two other children (Guy William Collins and Melissa "Mimi" Collins).

DUI arrests

Since 2002, Collins has also been charged with three counts of "driving under the influence" (of alcohol) (DUI). His first arrest came in 2002 in Mississippi; he was found not guilty after a trial.

The second incident occurred on October 23, 2007, when Collins was involved in an accident caused by another motorist. The collision caused Collins' car to collide with two cars parked on the side of the street. Responding police officers reportedly smelled alcohol on Collins' breath and initiated a field sobriety test. He was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor driving under the influence. According to police Collins "was not at fault in the accident. The other motorist failed to yield to oncoming traffic and collided with Collins' vehicle."   Police determined that 89-year-old Warren Gates, the other driver, caused the crash by failing to stop at a red light. Gates subsequently died of his injuries in a local hospital on December 7, 2007.

The day before Gates' death, Collins pleaded no contest to DUI charges stemming from the October 2007 incident and was sentenced to four days in jail. He was also sentenced to four years of probation, fined $500, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. He must also pay restitution to the victims, enroll in an 18-month alcohol education program and attend 26 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings -- at least two per week.

Collins was charged with his third DUI on Saturday, January 31, 2009 in Montecito, California while driving a motor home. Collins refused a field sobriety test and was taken into custody, but later agreed to a blood alcohol test. The results are pending. Collins, who is still on four years probation for the previous DUI, could go to prison if he is found to have been intoxicated at the time of this latest incident. Collins pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 120 days in jail and had his vehicle impounded for 90 days and his license suspended for three years.

References

1. Gary Collins Biography (1938-)
2. Gary Collins Busted for DUI Again TMZ, February 1, 2009
3. TV Legend Gary Collins Busted for DUI Smash Up - TMZ.com
4. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_en_tv/people_gary_collins;_ylt=AomWsluAZhZ9NEwAXqer5.9xFb8C
5. Gary Collins Gets 4 Days in Jail for DUI - MSN TV News
6. http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/01/gary-collins-busted-for-dui-again/
7. Gary Collins: Jailbound TMZ, March 2, 2009

External links