He was the guy in the uniform. You probably remember him as Forest Ranger Bob Erickson, the man who helped guide a very famous collie through the wilderness. But Jack De Mave was a lot more than just a 1960s TV trope.
Honestly, in an era where everyone is famous for fifteen minutes on a viral clip, De Mave represented a different kind of longevity. He was a working actor. He showed up. He did the work. He stayed in the game for fifty years.
The Boxer’s Son from Jersey City
Jack De Mave didn't come from Hollywood royalty. He was born John Francois De Mave in Jersey City, New Jersey, back in 1933. His dad was a professional heavyweight boxer—a tough guy who supposedly served as the inspiration for the play Golden Boy.
That's a wild bit of trivia, right?
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Growing up as the son of a fighter probably gave him that grit. His mother worked as a Broadway casting director, which gave him his "in," but he still had to earn it. He started on the stage in the late 1950s, specifically in a production of The Visit.
Success didn't happen overnight. It was a slow burn.
That Lassie Fame
Let's talk about the big one. In 1968, Jack De Mave joined the cast of Lassie. This wasn't just any show; it was a cultural institution. He played Forest Ranger Bob Erickson, starring alongside Jed Allan.
If you grew up watching those Sunday night episodes, De Mave was the face of authority and kindness. He did 23 episodes over two seasons. It sounds like a small number now, but in the world of classic TV syndication, those episodes played on a loop for decades.
People actually wrote to him. They thought he was a real ranger. There’s a funny story from a 1969 newspaper interview where he mentioned that his apartment building didn't even allow pets—pretty ironic for "Lassie's godfather."
More Than Just a Ranger
If you think Lassie was his only trick, you're wrong. Jack De Mave was a guest-star king. He popped up in everything:
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (he played Armond Lynton, Rhoda's date)
- Adam-12
- Marcus Welby, M.D.
- The Fugitive
- F Troop
- Daniel Boone
He even had a stint on soaps. You might have seen him as Dr. Gregory Eldridge on Days of Our Lives or as Cal Clinton on The Bold and the Beautiful. He was the ultimate "Hey, it's that guy!" actor.
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He even played The Lone Ranger. Not in a movie, but in Frito-Lay commercials. Hey, a job's a job.
Why We’re Talking About Him in 2026
Jack De Mave passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 91. He lived a long, full life, mostly out of the tabloid spotlight. He was married to Ann Camille Smith for fifty years until she passed in 2013.
His career lasted until 2008. Think about that. He started in the age of black-and-white TV and retired in the age of the iPhone.
The reason he matters is because he represents the "middle class" of Hollywood. We spend so much time obsessed with A-listers that we forget the character actors who actually built the shows we loved.
What You Can Do Now
If you're feeling nostalgic, there are a few ways to actually appreciate his work without just reading a Wikipedia page:
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- Watch "Today I Am a Ma'am": It's the second episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. De Mave is great in it, and it shows his comedic timing, which he didn't get to use much as a stoic forest ranger.
- Look for the "Forest Service" years of Lassie: These episodes (Seasons 15 and 16) are surprisingly beautiful because they were filmed in actual national parks. It’s a time capsule of the American wilderness.
- Check out the film "1776": He has a small role in this classic musical. It’s a reminder of his stage roots.
Jack De Mave wasn't looking for a star on the Walk of Fame. He was looking for the next script. That kind of work ethic is rare, and it's why his face still feels like home to millions of viewers.