As happens to every generation, my child hood heros are fading away

Robert Culp dead after a fall

"I Spy" No More

The star of one of severeal television shows that shaped my childhood, and influenced my interest in writing and acting.

Robert Culp,who rose to fame as secret agent Kelly Robinson on the groundbreaking 1960s TV series "I Spy" and later played Ray Romano's father-in-law on "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died the age of 70. He died of complications from a fall in an LA park. The New York Times reports he was on a walk near his home.

CNN reports Culp not only acted in "I Spy," which aired on NBC from 1965 to 1968, he also wrote several episodes. The series, which also starred Bill Cosby as Robinson's partner (and, as their covers, trainer to Culp's globe-trotting tennis player), was the first to feature an African-American in a lead role and earned Cosby three Emmy awards. Culp's character was flawed, unusual for leading roles the time, choice he brought to the role. 

Remaining good friends for life with Cosby, Culp went on to a long career in motion pictures and television, He starred in the spouse swapping film "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," and appeared in "The Pelican Brief".