'Book 'Em, Danno' Actor Is Dead

Stage and screen actor James MacArthur, who played "Danno" in the original version of television's Hawaii Five-0, died today at age 72. In a career that spanned more than four decades, MacArthur was most recognized for his role as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams on the series, which aired from 1968 to 1980. Episodes often ended with detective Steve McGarret, the lead character played by Jack Lord, uttering what became a pop culture catch phrase: "Book 'em, Danno."

MacArthur seemed destined to become an actor. He was the adopted son of playwright Charles MacArthur and Helen Hayes, an award-winning actress often referred to as "First Lady of the American Theatre." Silent film star Lillian Gish was his godmother. As a young actor, he appeared in the Walt Disney movies Kidnapped, Third Man on the Mountain, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Light in the Forest. (More James MacArthur stories.)