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Stories

‘Hawaii Five-O’ Star James MacArthur Loved Hawaii In Real Life Before His Death At 72

by Lauren Novak

Published February 3, 2022

Whatever happened to James MacArthur

James MacArthur was best known for his role as Danny “Danno” Williams in Hawaii Five-O. While he was born and raised in New York, he later fell in love with Hawaii and spent his later years there. When he was young, James was quite the overachiever. He was on the football team, basketball team, was class president and on student government, and was in the drama club and newspaper.

His career started in radio in 1948 and made his stage debut just a year later. Several years later, he began acting on television and in movies. His early roles were in Take the High Ground! and Climax! 

Related:

  1. Harry Endo From ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Spent Most Of His Time In Hawaii Before His Death At 86
  2. ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Actress Peggy Ryan Taught Dance Right Until Her Death in 2004

Whatever happened to James MacArthur?

James MacArthur, ca. 1950s
James MacArthur, ca. 1950s / Everett Collection

In 1958, he began working with Disney and appeared in several Disney films over the years including The Light in the Forest, Kidnapped, and Swiss Family Robinson. The jack of all trades, he appeared on Broadway in 1960 in Invitation to a March with Jane Fonda. James continued to work steadily and was nominated for the “Top New Male Personality” category of the Golden Laurel Awards 1963.

RELATED: The Cast Of ‘Hawaii Five-O’ Then And Now

HAWAII FIVE-O, James MacArthur, 1968-1980
HAWAII FIVE-O, James MacArthur, 1968-1980 / Everett Collection

Why did James MacArthur leave ‘Hawaii Five-O?’

James MacArthur, late 1970s
James MacArthur, late 1970s / Everett Collection

James is perhaps best known for his role in Hawaii Five-O. He left the show in 1979 saying, “I grew bored. The stories became more bland and predictable, and presented less and less challenge to me as an actor,” but he still fell in love with Hawaii. He reportedly spent most of his earnings from the show on Hawaiian real estate. After leaving Hawaii Five-O, he appeared on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Vega$, and more. In his personal life, he loved golfing.

james macarthur
James MacArthur / YouTube Screenshot

James was married three times and had four children. He married Joyce Bulifant in 1958, Melody Patterson in 1970, and LPGA golfer Helen Beth Duntz in 1984. James passed away in 2010 of natural causes at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

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