Chad Everett and Shelby Grant, two beloved actors of the 1970s, shared a love story that lasted for 45 years. They stayed devoted to one another until Grant’s sudden passing in 2011 due to an aneurysm.
Everett, born Raymon Lee Cramton, was a ruggedly attractive actor who started his career with Warner Bros. He adopted the name Chad Everett after his appearance in some advertisements, thanks to Rock Hudson’s agent Henry Willson. This name change was necessary as his original name was a bit confusing: “Raymon, no ‘d,’ Cramton, no ‘p.’”
With his stunning blue eyes, Everett made his television debut in the 1960s on an episode of Surfside 6. He went on to star in various popular TV shows like The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, Melrose Place, Cold Case, Supernatural, and Castle. He also made memorable cameos in movies like Mulholland Drive, Psycho, Airplane II: The Sequel, Return of the Gunfighter, and The Singing Nun. However, it was his portrayal of the surgeon in the hit medical drama Medical Center that truly made him a Hollywood legend.
Being chosen for the role of Dr. Joe Gannon in Medical Center was Everett’s lucky break. The award-winning drama called Calling Dr. Gannon held the top spot for medical programming on television until it was surpassed by George Clooney and E.R.
Fans adored Everett for his chiseled cheekbones and attractive persona. But despite his popularity, Everett only had eyes for one woman. He first met actor Shelby Grant at the Riverside 500 race, where he was “on the prowl.” It was love at first sight, and they eventually spoke when they ran into each other again at the beach a few days later.
During their courtship, Everett showered Grant with so many roses that her balcony looked like a burial ground. They got married in 1966 and had two daughters, Shannon and Katherine (Kate). Grant decided to give up acting and focus on raising their family.
On their wedding day, Chad declared, “We’ve been soulmates for many lifetimes.” To reaffirm their love, Everett and Grant renewed their vows every seven years, with their daughters officiating the ceremonies. Their genuine love and respect for each other were evident to everyone around them.
Everett was not just dedicated to Grant; he was also committed to raising her children. Growing up on a ranch was a blessing for their family. They spent quality time together playing tennis, swimming, horseback riding, or simply watching a football game.
However, as life goes, challenges often follow the good times. When Medical Center ended, Everett, who owned 15% of the show, had enough financial security to provide a comfortable life for his family. But this comfort led him down a path of addiction to alcohol.
In 1986, Grant confronted him about his drinking problem. Everett finally admitted, “I am really in trouble.” Seeking to set an example for his children, he decided to face his addiction head-on and invited them into his bedroom for a frank conversation. He wanted them to witness the consequences of allowing drugs or alcohol to control one’s life.
Everett’s fight against alcoholism was relentless. With the unwavering support of his family, Alcoholics Anonymous, and his strong faith, he never gave up. He expressed his gratitude to his wife for standing by his side during his lowest moments. She never threatened to leave and constantly reassured him of her commitment. Without his family, Everett knew he would have faced severe problems.
Grant even supported him in court when a woman named Sheila Scott falsely claimed that Everett was the father of her son Dale, born in 1973. Scott harassed Everett and his wife for about two decades through threatening phone calls and messages. Eventually, she pleaded guilty to harassment and was instructed by a judge to stop publicly criticizing Everett. Unfortunately, even after his passing, she continued to attack his daughters on social media.
Everett’s life came to an end in 2012 due to lung cancer. He was 75 years old at the time. He is survived by his two daughters and six grandchildren. Throughout his life, Everett understood that what truly matters is what’s on the inside. He took immense pride in his wife, children, and grandchildren.
According to Shannon, “He could make you feel like you were the most important person in the room.” For Everett, his wife and daughters were always the most significant individuals in his life.
The fact that Everett passed away just one year after his wife is a tragic reminder of their deep connection. Perhaps he couldn’t bear to live without her.
Did you ever catch Medical Center on television? We’d love to hear your Chad Everett memories!
