Series Description

Quincy, M.E. was a 60 minute drama series on NBC. Plotlines would begin with a death that would appear to be from natural causes. Quincy, however, would notice something that would cause him to suspect foul play. Then he would changes roles from Medical Examiner to detective and solve the murder that was "unseen" by all others. Quincy's boss would always get upset believing that Quincy was seeing evidence that didn't exist. The police department didn't care for him "shouldering-in" on their territory either! That didn't even slow him down in his quest to solve the crime!

Quincy, M.E. Cast

Jack Klugman .... Doctor Quincy
Robert Ito .... Sam Fujiyama
John S. Ragin .... Doctor Robert Asten
Val Bisoglio .... Danny Tovo
Joseph Roman .... Sergeant Brill
Garry Walberg .... Lieutenant Frank Monahan
Diane Markoff .... Diane
Lynette Mettey .... Lee Potter
Anita Gillette .... Doctor Emily Hanover

Quincy, M.E. Trivia

The M.E. in the title stands for "Medical Examiner".

The Quincy character was based on the life of Doctor Thomas Noguchi. He was a LA County Medical Examiner in real life. He performed autopsies on John Belushi, Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe.

Jack Klugman came to his role as Doctor Quincy less than two years after his hit series, "The Odd Couple" ended. Less than three years after Quincy ended, he starred on another series titled, "You Again?".

Quincy had a highly successful medical practice of his own before joining the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Quincy's first name was never mentioned during the entire Quincy, M.E. TV show run. In episode #33, "Accomplice To Murder", however, his business card was seen with his name written as "Doctor R. Quincy". Jack Klugman says that the question he's most often asked by fans is, "What is Quincy's first name?". He answers, "Doctor"!

The Quincy, M.E. TV show actually began as part of the NBC Sunday Mystery Movie, rotating from week-to-week with three other series: "Columbo", "McCloud" and "McMillan & Wife". Quincy, M.E. did so well in the ratings that it became its own weekly series after only three episodes. (And was the only one of the four to get its own time slot)

In 1982, Quincy met Doctor Emily Hanover and they pursued a romantic relationship which was often strained due to Quincy's dedication to his work. Despite that, they did eventually marry in the spring of 1983. Interestingly, Anita Gillette who played Doctor Hanover, had appeared earlier on Quincy, M.E. in a 1979 "flashback" episode as Quincy's deceased first wife!

Quincy, M.E. Opening Narrative

(Jack Klugman as Quincy speaks to a group of police cadets next to a corpse on an autopsy table.)

"Gentlemen you are about to enter the most fascinating field of medical science. The world of forensic medicine."

(Quincy then pulls back the sheet exposing the corpse, and one after another, the police cadets faint or run out of the room.)