Fred Grandy

Biography

Fred Grandy was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and raised by Margaret Avery after his parents' early deaths. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English studies. Grandy went on to have a distinguished career in acting and politics, including playing Burl "Gopher" Smith on The Love Boat and serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa.