Jack Webb would write Dragnet scenes for Martin Milner
The two had a wonderful friendship.
We should all be continuously striving to be better people for the benefit of ourselves and each other. But, in case you needed that extra incentive, sometimes being such a darn good person help you with success.
While an actor like Martin Milner is typically remembered for his work on Adam-12, he was also heavily involved with another Jack Webb project, Dragnet.
According to an article from the Associated Press, Webb and Milner became fast friends in the 1950s, and Webb frequently hired Milner to work on the radio version of Dragnet. The friendship continued and grew stronger, and when Dragnet inevitably made its way to the screen for a television adaptation, Webb never forgot his old friend.
Milner was hired for the series in a recurring role. In the article, Milner said that he often reconnected with Webb when he visited Los Angeles during his time in the Army. Every time Milner visited his pal, Webb made sure to include a scene with Milner's recurring character. "Even though there wasn't a part for me in Dragnet that week," said Milner, "Jack would write one in so I could collect $125."
Webb wasn't the only collaborator that Milner left an impression on. Kent McCord, who starred in Adam-12 with Milner, also had wonderful things to say about his fellow actor and friend.
"I had a long, long friendship with Marty, and we remained friends up until the end," he said. "He was one of the really true great people of our industry with a long, distinguished career ... Wonderful films, wonderful television shows, pioneering shows like Route 66. He was one of the great guys. I was lucky to have him in my life."
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He feared it might trigger some of his thick-skinned friends in law enforcement.