Actor James MacArthur (1937-2010), best known for his role as Danny “Danno” Williams in the original “Hawaii Five-O” TV series that aired from 1968 to 1980, was wed to actress Melody Patterson of TV’s “F Troop” fame at the Fern
Actor James MacArthur (1937-2010), best known for his role as Danny “Danno” Williams in the original “Hawaii Five-O” TV series that aired from 1968 to 1980, was wed to actress Melody Patterson of TV’s “F Troop” fame at the Fern Grotto, Kauai, on Sunday afternoon, July 12, 1970.
Smith’s Boats provided transportation for the bride, groom and wedding party up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto on flower-laden barges with musicians aboard playing Hawaiian music.
Rev. Tuck Wah Lee, assistant pastor of Kawaiahao Church of Honolulu, married the couple in a quiet, exclusive and traditional Hawaiian ceremony.
Guests included MacArthur’s mother, actress Helen Hayes, actor Jack Lord, the star of “Hawaii Five-O,” and around 25 members of the series’ cast and production staff.
Following the wedding, a private reception was held at the Coco Palms Hotel.
In “Hawaii Five O,” MacArthur’s fictional character, Danny “Danno” Williams, was second-in- command to Jack Lord’s Detective Captain Steve McGarrett, the head of a special fictional Hawaii state police task force.
At the end of many episodes, after a suspected criminal had been taken into custody, McGarrett would characteristically direct Williams to “Book ‘em Danno!” to make an official arrest report.
Other cast members included Richard Denning as Hawaii’s governor, police officers Chin Ho Kelly, played by Kam Fong Chun, and Gilbert “Zulu” Kauhi in the role of Kono Kalakaua.
Actors Herman Wedemeyer, Al Harrington, Al Eben, Harry Endo, Maggi Parker, Peggy Ryan, Harold Gould and Glenn Cannon were regulars on “Hawaii Five-O.”
Ricardo Montalban, Gavin MacLeod, Ross Martin, Khigh Dhiegh, Kauai’s own Elithe Aguiar, and others made guest appearances.
The series was shot on location primarily in Honolulu. Its first studio was a rusted military Quonset hut in Pearl City. Later studio locations were located at Fort Ruger and Diamond Head.
