Robert Urich, who earned his master’s degree from MSU in 1970, died today after a battle with cancer.

Urich, who was 55, was best known for his starring role on ABC’s “Spenser: For Hire.” He also was a pivotal player on shows like “Vega$” and “Gavilan.”

The alumnus, who earned his master’s in broadcast research and management from MSU, died at a hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif., surrounded by family and friends, The Associated Press reported.

“For MSU, this is a very sad situation,” said Gary Hoppenstand, an MSU American Thought and Language professor. “I know he’s been in a very noble fight with cancer. It is a great loss and he will be missed by the university. He was certainly a major figure in TV.”

Hoppenstand compared Urich to a modern day Humphrey Bogart.

Born Dec. 19, 1946 in Toronto, Ohio, Urich went on to be a high school football star in the small town. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, while receiving a four-year football scholarship. While a student, he hosted his own weekly TV talk show.

His lengthy career has extended from TV roles to mini-series to the big screen, and on stage. In 1999, he starred as Bill Flynn in the musical “Chicago.”

Urich made his stage debut in a community theater production of “Lovers and Other Strangers.” He then spent more than a year performing at various Chicago theaters before drawing the attention of a talent scout who convinced the actor to move to California.

The alumnus was then given his first TV starring role for the 1973 comedy series “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” which was based on the move with the same title. And quickly after, he landed on the big screen for the first time with Clint Eastwood in “Magnum Force.” Five lines after he made his movie debut, his character was crushed under a motorcycle.

After that performance, Urich was getting more offers - and continued working steadily until his death. He also starred in the police series “S.W.A.T.”

”He was very hard working, and I respect him for that,” said Susan Woods, director of the East Lansing Film Festival. ”I am certainly sad for his loss, and I wish his family the best.”

Urich isn’t the only actor from MSU to make it in Hollywood, but his list of credits is one of the lengthiest among fellow alumni.

In a past issue of MSU Alumni Magazine, university American Thought and Language professors Hoppenstand and Erik Lunde wrote of the actor: “A top flight actor with MSU credentials is Robert Urich.