QME FAQ

In the opening credits of Quincy, M.E., there’s a brief shot of a blonde woman sunbathing on Quincy’s sailboat — but she’s never identified or seen again in the show. Who was she, and what was her connection to Quincy?

The identity of the blonde-haired woman seen sunbathing on Dr. Quincy’s sailboat during the show’s opening title sequence has intrigued viewers for decades — and for good reason. She never speaks, is never named, and doesn’t appear in the show’s storyline. In fact, her appearance is purely visual — a stylish snapshot meant to reflect Quincy’s lifestyle rather than a character with a narrative role.

As of today, her identity remains officially unconfirmed in production credits. She was most likely a model or extra hired specifically for the opening sequence, which was filmed at Marina del Rey as part of a broader effort to portray Quincy as a bachelor living an enviable coastal life. The image of a woman sunbathing on his boat subtly reinforced Quincy’s image as a free-spirited, independent man with both brains and a touch of Hollywood cool.

Why is she never mentioned in the show? The early seasons of Quincy, M.E. leaned more into his bachelor persona, but as the series progressed, Quincy’s character became more focused on forensic justice and social issues — and less on swinging single life. The woman’s presence in the credits stayed for a while simply as part of the established montage, even after it no longer reflected the evolving tone of the show.

I used to watch Quincy reruns on our local retro TV station about ten years ago. I’ve been trying to find an episode where, early on, Quincy and Danny are riding in a car together and Danny somehow hurts his hand — maybe got it caught in the window? I don’t remember the rest of the episode. Can anyone help identify it?

You’re not alone — this memorable moment has puzzled more than a few fans over the years!

The episode you’re thinking of is “Seldom Silent, Never Heard” — Season 7, Episode 19, which originally aired on February 24, 1982.

In this installment, the case centers around the suspicious death of a young deaf girl, and Quincy becomes deeply involved in the investigation — not just for justice, but also to bridge the gap between the deaf community and the hearing world. It’s a powerful episode with strong emotional undertones.

As for the scene you’re recalling: early in the episode, Danny (played by Val Bisoglio) and Quincy (Jack Klugman) are in a car when Danny clumsily closes the door or window on his hand — leading to a bit of physical comedy and classic Danny-style griping. It’s a rare, light moment in an otherwise serious storyline — and it stood out enough that many fans, like you, remembered it long after.

Fun Fact: This episode is often remembered for its sensitive portrayal of hearing impairment and its use of sign language — something not commonly seen in primetime network drama at the time.

Throughout the series, Dr. Quincy lives on a beautiful sailboat docked in a Southern California marina. Do we know the exact type, builder, or model of the boat?

Yes — and the answer is more impressive (and historically rich) than many fans might expect.

Quincy’s sailboat was a 60-foot staysail schooner, hand-built in 1935 by Edson B. Schnock, a highly regarded American shipwright known for crafting custom wooden yachts along the California coast. Far from a mass-produced vessel like the Columbia 50 (which some fans have incorrectly assumed over the years), this schooner was a one-of-a-kind, classic wooden yacht, reflecting a bygone era of nautical craftsmanship.

A staysail schooner is a type of two-masted sailing vessel where the foremast is shorter than the mainmast, and it carries additional staysails between the masts and fore triangle. The design offers power, elegance, and versatility at sea — ideal for long-range cruising or dockside living with serious style. In Quincy’s case, it also symbolized a life of personal freedom and quiet reflection, away from the bureaucracy and grit of his day job in the coroner’s office.

Fun Fact: The schooner was often shown docked at Marina del Rey, and its classic features — like the bright teak decking, graceful sheerline, and traditional rigging — made it a subtle yet powerful visual signature for the character. Scenes aboard the boat gave audiences a look at a softer, more introspective side of Quincy, surrounded by the sea rather than scalpels.

Legacy: As of today, boats built by Edson B. Schnock are considered rare collector’s items among classic yacht aficionados. The inclusion of this 1935 schooner in Quincy, M.E. wasn’t just for aesthetics — it was a nod to authenticity, depth, and timelessness, much like the character himself.

In many lab scenes, Sam is seen using a calculator that looks like an old-school Hewlett-Packard. Was it really an HP, and do we know the model?Great catch — and yes, the calculator Sam Fujiyama frequently used in the Los Angeles Coroner’s lab does appear to be a vintage Hewlett-Packard (HP) model. Fans and vintage tech sleuths have identified it as likely being from the HP-67/97 series — two legendary programmable calculators designed for professional use.

The HP-67 was a handheld scientific calculator, introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1976 and discontinued in 1982. Its counterpart, the HP-97, was introduced in 1977 and discontinued in 1984. The HP-97 was a desktop version of the 67, complete with a built-in thermal printer and a larger keypad. Both calculators featured magnetic card readers for program storage and used Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) — a system embraced by engineers and scientists for its efficiency but considered puzzling to the uninitiated.

Collectively referred to as the HP-67/97 series, these models were widely used in laboratories, hospitals, and universities throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, making them a realistic and era-appropriate choice for Sam’s character — the lab’s meticulous forensic assistant.

Though the show never provides a clear close-up, scenes showing the calculator’s distinctive red LED display and keypad layout strongly suggest it was either an HP-67 or HP-97, both emblematic of high-end technical equipment of the time.

Fun Fact: The HP-67/97 line was among the most advanced personal computing tools available before desktop computers became mainstream — yet another detail that subtly underscored Sam’s role as Quincy’s sharp, scientifically-minded right hand.

Bonus trivia: HP calculators of this era used Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), a distinctive input method favored by scientists but confusing to most casual users — yet another subtle nod to Sam’s deep technical knowledge and precision!

Given the last name and the timing, was Garry Walberg — who played Lt. Frank Monahan on Quincy, M.E. — related to Donnie or Mark Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame?

It’s a reasonable guess — especially since Garry Walberg and the Wahlbergs share a similar-sounding surname — but the answer is no, actor Garry Walberg was not related to Donnie, Mark, or any of the famous Wahlberg siblings from the New Kids on the Block dynasty.

Garry Walberg was born Gerrit Christian Walberg Jr. in Buffalo, New York, in 1921 — decades before the boy band era exploded. He had a long and respected career in television, appearing in shows like Perry Mason, The Odd Couple, and of course, his iconic role as the world-weary but loyal Lt. Frank Monahan on Quincy, M.E.

The Wahlberg family, including Donnie and actor/entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg, hail from Boston, Massachusetts, and rose to fame in the late 1980s and early ’90s. While they share a similar last name (with slightly different spelling), there’s no family connection between Garry Walberg and the music-acting Wahlberg clan.

So, next time you see Monahan questioning a suspect or sharing coffee with Quincy in the coroner’s lab, you can appreciate him for what he was — a talented character actor with no need for a pop star connection!

In various episodes of Quincy, M.E., the coroner’s wagon or station wagon Quincy drives is shown with either a red rotating beacon or a yellow one. What’s the reason behind this inconsistency?

This is one of those fun production details that sharp-eyed fans love to spot — and it reflects both real-world protocols and behind-the-scenes TV decisions.

In reality, emergency vehicle light colors are regulated differently from state to state. Since Quincy, M.E. was set in California, the red beacon light would typically indicate an authorized emergency vehicle — like police, fire, or certain medical responders — whereas amber or yellow lights are generally used for non-emergency vehicles or those needing caution (like utility trucks or official county vehicles that aren’t granted full emergency status).

Now, Quincy often operated in a grey area. While he wasn’t law enforcement or paramedic personnel, he was a high-ranking official in the L.A. County Coroner’s Office, responding to active crime scenes and emergencies — often faster than the police! In some episodes, especially those with higher-stakes urgency or political tension, the vehicle was shown with a red light, emphasizing his role as an emergency responder. In other episodes, particularly in earlier seasons or when the tone leaned more procedural than dramatic, the amber/yellow light appears, aligning more with a civil service vehicle.

Behind the scenes, it likely came down to which vehicle was available for filming and what the script called for. Universal’s prop department had multiple vehicles, and continuity was sometimes sacrificed for scheduling or budget reasons. Plus, the producers may have adjusted the light color based on evolving traffic laws or to avoid confusing audiences who might associate red lights strictly with law enforcement.

Bottom line? The light color changed depending on the dramatic need of the episode, local California vehicle code interpretations, and the production’s access to specific cars during filming. Another charming inconsistency that makes revisiting Quincy, M.E. all the more interesting for fans!

Great observation — and you’re not alone in noticing! While Quincy, M.E. was unmistakably set in Southern California (complete with marina scenes and LA County references), many of the show’s regular and guest stars, including Jack Klugman, brought unmistakable Northeastern flair to their performances. Klugman himself hailed from Philadelphia, and his gruff, no-nonsense delivery gave Quincy a distinct East Coast edge.

This wasn’t necessarily a deliberate move by the producers to portray a transplanted East Coast community, but rather a byproduct of casting veteran character actors — many of whom had roots in New York theater or the broader Northeast acting scene. In fact, Universal Studios in the 1970s often drew from a talent pool that overlapped heavily with Broadway, off-Broadway, and TV dramas shot in New York before production hubs shifted more fully westward.

For Klugman, his East Coast identity wasn’t something he tried to shed. Instead, it became an integral part of Quincy’s character — tough, passionate, outspoken, and deeply driven by principle. Whether challenging bureaucrats or standing up for the underdog, Quincy’s voice (both literally and figuratively) had a distinct Northeastern ring to it.

So while it may not have been a purposeful choice in the writing room, the melting pot of accents ended up adding layers of authenticity and grit to the show’s ensemble — helping Quincy feel like the kind of guy who could’ve been a streetwise New Yorker, even if he was working the LA docks.

Jack Klugman was born on April 27, 1922, and he brought the tenacious medical examiner Quincy to life beginning with the show’s premiere in 1976. At the start of Quincy, M.E., Klugman was 54 years old. Over the course of the series’ seven-year run — which aired from 1976 to 1983 — he portrayed Dr. Quincy from age 54 through to 61.

This period marked some of Klugman’s most celebrated work, where his portrayal of the determined and often stubborn medical examiner captured the attention of millions. His mature age lent gravitas and authenticity to the role, helping to ground the series in realism during an era when medical dramas were just starting to gain popularity on television.

Jack Klugman’s performance on Quincy, M.E. not only defined his career but also left a lasting legacy on the genre, influencing future crime and medical shows for decades to come.

Quincy M.E. (referred to as QME from now on) aired as a weekly television series on NBC from 1976 to 1983.

The show revolved around Los Angeles Chief Deputy Medical Examiner, Quincy, portrayed by actor Jack Klugman. He consistently found himself in opposition to a range of both common and uncommon abuses within the system. In this role, Quincy was compelled to meticulously record and vehemently combat instances of social injustice and the bureaucratic red tape that typically accompanied them.

His challenges spanned a variety of scenarios, from exposing unethical pharmaceutical companies that supplied dangerous over-the-counter medications to unlicensed “pill shops,” to dealing with foreign diplomats who encountered chemically-empowered assassins during their visits to the greater Los Angeles area.

Throughout the series, Quincy confronted a greater number of charlatans, antagonists, and mobsters than any other committed pathologist, showcasing his unyielding dedication to seeking the truth and justice.

nBefore the Medical Health Planning Board, during “For the Benefit of My Patients,” Quincy was quick to point out about his own profession,nnnn“…As you can see, Dr. Rawlings and the Terrace Heights Hospital are not prejudiced. Anyone can get in, regardless of race, color, or creed – they just have to be able to pay! Their admission does not depend upon the degree of their illness but on the right insurance card. That’s a far cry from the sign in front of Albert Schwitzer’s Jungle Hospital, which reads, ‘Here, at whatever hour you come, you will find light and help and human kindness.’ What a rotten businessman Schweitzer must have been, but what a magnificent doctor and humanitarian he was. When the only consideration of the hospital is a concern for the profit margin, humanity goes out the window. And without humanity, you cannot have good medicine.“nnnnThis summarizes the importance of what Quincy recognizes as good vs. bad medical practice. A similar attitude is also expressed in “A Ghost of a Chance,” where he indicates that “ghost surgeons” and teaching hospitals need to exercise extra stringent policing because only then can they protect those who need their help!nnnnn

Ever wonder why TV shows like Quincy M.E., Trapper John, M.D., Doogie Houser, M.D., and Marcus Welby, M.D. have some sort of hang-up about initials after their name? The funny thing is that it’s not just that way with medical late night dramas; even Tom Selleck landed a whopper of a hit with his Magnum, P.I! While I can easily understand that many people are easily confused by the title of the series when it first came out, but many people still don’t get the title right and it’s been over 20 years since Quincy first aired! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people mistakenly call the show “Quincy, M.D.,” “Quincey” or just plain Q.M.E.nnnnHow hard can it be? Here’s a guy who’s not only checking out the cause of death on the table but also runs around after thugs and crooks as well. This was one of the concerns Quincy co-creator Glen Larson was up against when he had tried to sell network executives on the show’s potential. Time and again, they would tell Larson that no one is interested in a series about coroners, causes of death, and crime scenes. However, the story, as Larson indicated, is that Quincy wasn’t going to be a show about your typical sterile, white, lab-coated coroner! Rather, this coroner was going to have an insatiable curiosity about the scene of the crime, and the detective work needed to flush out the most irresponsible of killers. This is why the show tends to rank more as a CRIME DRAMA than a medical show. Who knows, maybe with a little coaxing, we could have Universal change the title to “Quincy, P.I.” (grin).

nWhile both Glen Larson and Lou Shaw hold joint on-screen credit with creating the show, Mr. Larson has held executive producer, creator, and writer positions for many other shows. Larson represents the driving force behind numerous television hits like Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I., Battlestar Galactica, P.S., I Luv You, and One West Waikiki. nnnnNot surprisingly, one of his more recent projects, One West, involved strikingly similar plot elements initially presented in the QME series; namely, the “forensic pathologist/ homicide detective” angle of a criminal investigation. This time Larson cast ex-Charlie’s Angel’s Cheryl Ladd and Richard Burgi, in the medical examiner and cop roles respectively that Klugman and Walberg had successfully performed years earlier. nnnnWhile it was clear that the new series could stand on its own, this up-to-date drama also re-visited many similar plots and sub-plots which were successfully pre-tested as QME storylines and subject matter.nnnnn

nQME fall premiered at 9:30-11:00 PM EST on Sunday, October 3, 1976. The NBC Television series ran for seven seasons on network television before being canceled in September of 1983.nnnnnnnnn

nDuring the first season run of QME, the series had something of a bumpy road on NBC in 1976 as part of the wheel, QME premiered as part of the ninety-minute NBC Sunday Mystery Movie. It shared that time slot (9:30-11 PM) with the likes of Columbo, McCloud, McMillian (and Wife), and Lanigan’s Rabbi. nnnnTherefore, NBC originally ordered only six (6) ninety-minute episodes. Four appeared in that 1976 season, while the last two were preempted due to a Frank Sinatra MSG special and a televised NYC Birthday Bash special to commemorate the 1976 Bicentennial at the time. After the series moved to its regular sixty-minute time slot (10 – 11 PM), only a handful of subsequent “two- hour” episodes were produced.nnnnn

nAfter being on hiatus during most of January, February, March, and April of 1977, the series re-surfaced as part of NBC’s regular Friday night hour-long line-up (10 – 11 PM). While the majority of the episodes aired during NBC’s Wednesday night line-up, a total of one-hundred and forty-three (143) 60-minute episodes were produced over the next six seasons (1977 – 1983).nnnnn

In an early 1980s Science Digest article entitled, Among Forensic Pathologists, Quincy’s a Social Crusader, by Marvin Grosswirth, Mark Scott Taylor (QME technical advisor and actor) indicated, “When we get into the various lab procedures, we try as much as possible to do real procedures or at least a portions of real procedures…” He admits that he believes he was hired because few actors have the dexterity and experience to perform any of the on-scene technical procedures themselves! Therefore, Mark was able to act out necessary shots “on camera” to maintain scientific accuracy, while preventing scenes from appearing “hokey.”

nUnlike Glen Larson’s more romantic crime-drama, One West Waikiki, QME was largely based upon identifying causes related to social conflict and prescribing socially responsible cures to some of the problems that plague our country. Whether the issue was environmentally based, such as toxic waste dumping, or narrowly-defined such as Tourette’s syndrome, QME writers continually provided critical issues of study, as the focus and subject matter of the series. Sometimes this could be accomplished in a tongue-in-cheek manner like “Dear Mummy” or other times it could be a bittersweet, yet poignant discussion of Altimizer’s Disease as in “Where is Morris Pearlmutter?” But in every case, the QME series encouraged viewers to think about themselves and how their actions (both emotional and physical) affected others in the community, at large.nnnnn

All the cases the Office of Medical Examiners have worked on have been done at LACC (short for Los Angeles County Coroner’s). The LAPD Crime Lab is separate from but assists the Coroner’s department in determining the causes and conditions of death surrounding ongoing homicide investigations. If, for any reason, you need to research some evidence obtained at a crime scene investigation, remember that LACC Security will require you to sign in at The Quincy Examiner Guestbook first.

Quincy’s primary place of residence is the Marina, aboard his 60′ classic staysail schooner sailboat. To most folks, this might very well be considered a yacht. But, Quince would be quick to point out, “…when you’re on the county payroll, you call it a boat, not a yacht!” Well, at least, up until the time he marries Dr. Emily Hanover, he is quite comfortable on this sea-fairing vessel. It is only during pre-marital jitters and at her insistence, that he reluctantly parts with his baby. In any case, once Quincy sells the boat he won’t have to worry about stowaways bunking themselves to ambush him when he comes home at night. [Hint: Remember the episodes “A Good Smack in the Mouth” and “Hit and Run at Danny’s?”]

2023 Update: For more info on the current whereabouts of the 60 foot schooner Universal used for the series, take a quick read about the yacht itself and its history prior to usage on the QME TV series, by clicking here.

nDuring the episode “Hit and Run at Danny’s,” Quincy speaks with Janet Martin by phone and indicates that she should come down to the docks and meet with Quince the following day. He tells her, “You can’t miss it! Its a large sailboat named, ‘Fiji.’”nnnnn

nnnnnDanny’s is a local restaurant down at the Marina and boatyard, where Quincy spends much of his spare time. Like almost anyone, Quince loves food, drink, and conversation – lots of conversation! Fearing he may get his throat cut by the chef, Quincy might also hint the thing that makes Danny’s good, isn’t just the food, but Danny’s always delivers… Owner Danny Tovo is a gracious host, who does his best to accommodate his menu and friendly establishment to a large professional clientele, including the LAPD and the LA Office of Medical Examiners. Lately, Danny has been looking into the possibility of encouraging an online crowd to frequent his little dining haven, and soon you’ll be able to visit Danny’s restaurant from the comfort of your own computer chair! Look for “Danny’s on the Web” to premiere in the months ahead, right here at the online home of QME, The Quincy Examiner (http://www.quincyexaminer.com).nnnnn

nnnnnA review of the episode guide reveals that present-day Sci-Fi writers like Jeri Taylor and Michael Braverman (Star Trek: TNG, Voyager, and DS9) as well as “Equalizer” Creator Michael Sloan have contributed to the QME universe at one time or another. While an in-depth analysis of the credits indicate that some of the more prolific QME writers and contributors include Sam Egan, Steve Greenberg, and Aubrey Solomon, Robert Crais and David Mossinger (who later produced the series), and Jack Klugman (main character of the series).nnnnn

Quincy’s first initial is “R.” However, throughout the series, you’ll never hear Jack Klugman’s character addressed by anything but Dr. Quincy or simply Quince. That’s because there was NEVER an official first name given on camera to the tough-as-nails pathologist!

The only hint to Quincy’s first name comes from a specific episode called “Accomplice to Murder,” where he hands his business card to battered housewife Bonnie DeMarco during a visit at her workplace. On the card, you can see the first initial “R” — but no full first name.

So, as far as fans and audiences are concerned, Quincy’s first name could be almost anything beginning with “R.” Take your pick: Robert, Richard, Raymond — no one really knows for sure.

That said, inside sources do indicate Quincy did have a first name! In an early 1980s Los Angeles radio interview, Executive Producer Peter Thompson was asked what Quince’s first name was, shortly after the “Accomplice to Murder” episode aired. After turning to one of his writers (whose name was Robert), Thompson replied with a smile: Robert, of course! 🙂

Hint & Possible Insight: The show’s co-creators originally sought out actor Robert Wagner for the role of Quincy. Wagner was then contractually tied to the 1970s TV series Switch with Eddie Albert. Could it be that Jack Klugman’s joking suggestion of “Robert” as Quincy’s first name was more than just a joke? Perhaps the first name “Robert” has deeper roots in the show’s early casting history! 🙂

nnnnnOther than “Promises to Keep,” (where we meet Quincy’s first wife, in retrospect) no episodes indicate Quincy’s first official case. However look for the pilot episode, “Go Fight City Hall To Death” to witness Quincy’s first introduction to the principles at LACC Office of Medical Examiner and LAPD.n

He does! The Quincy character was married twice, the first time to Helen (Anita Gilette) and the second to Dr. Emily Hanover (Anita Gillette). Parts one and two of “Quincy’s Wedding” detail the marriage to Emily, while “Promises to Keep” supplies background on his first. Upon interviewing Anita Gilette, she confirmed that Jack Klugman insisted on wanting her to play the part of Helen after having played Emily in a later episode. And if anyone would dare to ask, Jack just figured that his new bride would look very similar to his first wife! Problem solved! 😉

In “Promises to Keep,” Helen (Anita Gilette) died from a malignant brain tumor, which surgery was unable to cure. Quincy was at her bedside when his wife died in the hospital.

nnnnnHmmm… Let’s see (excluding Helen and Emily) first there was Lee Potter (Lynnette Mettely), next came Lynne (“Promises to Keep”), Jeri McKrakin (“New Blood”), Elizabeth Chesler (“All of Sad Words”), Allison/Mary Latham (“Memories of Allison”), Annie O’Connor (“When Luck Ran Out”), and finally Jeannea Powell (“An Unquiet Grave”).nnnnOkay, so did we leave any out? If so, let us know by sending us an email at webmaster@quincyexaminer.com.n

nnnnnWhy Quincy eats and works at Danny’s is something of an enigma. Whether it’s a desire for good food or a great M.E.’s dilemma to face his boat alone… is a mystery in itself.n

nnnnnTwo things… Bureaucracy and Lawsuits!n

nnnnnHis own car is always in the shop getting fixed, so Quincy uses the county car. Shhh… Don’t tell Asten though. Heck, he only lives 7 miles away so that’s not too much mileage per day!nnnnn

nnnnnMaintaining his boat and working on his classic Etsel automobile.nnnnn

nProfessionally, Astin supports Quincy in many of the positions he takes, but that may be partly because he knows that Quince is useless around the lab and office until he gets his distractions off his mind. In the probable words of Asten, “Quincy is a really, really, really nice guy… (hesitation) Now if only he’d say something nice about the great job we’re doing here at the Office of Medical Examiners the next time he appears on the Dick Mercer Show…”n

After a close inspection of Google mapping, we believe the best guess for exterior Danny’s shots might now be the Tony P’s located in Marina Del Rey. Interior shots of the restaurant were done on Stage 25 at Universal/MCA back lots according to a chief source who was a production gripper at the time.

For info and comparison shots, see the photos above. Note, this appears to be confirmed by what IMDB is reporting online as well. If you go, be sure to read the food reviews and send us a photo with your smartphone!