Patti Kendig is best known as the longtime wife of actor Gavin MacLeod. Their marriage had an unusual story. They married in 1974, divorced in 1982, and then married each other again in 1985.

Patti also had her own career in entertainment. She worked as a dancer and actress and appeared in shows such as The Love Boat. She also appeared with Gavin in the 2002 film Time Changer.

This article covers Patti Kendig’s early life, career, marriage to Gavin MacLeod, family, faith, and life after his death.

Quick Facts

Who Is Patti Kendig?

Patti Kendig is an American actress and the longtime wife of late actor Gavin MacLeod. Gavin was best known as Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He later became famous as Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat. Patti was part of his life for many years.

Patti also worked as an actress. Her credits include The Love Boat, Wonder Woman, and the 2002 film Time Changer. She was also known as Patti MacLeod after her marriage to Gavin.

Patti Kendig and Gavin had an unusual marriage story. They married in 1974, divorced in 1982, and married each other again in 1985. Their second marriage lasted until Gavin died in 2021.

Patti Kendig’s Early Life

Patti Kendig was born in Washington, D.C. She became interested in dance and later performed as a dancer. She made her debut with the Washington, D.C. Ballet.

She also performed on stage. Her theater work included shows such as Fanny, Guys and Dolls, and High Button Shoes. She also toured with stage shows.

Patti had her own work in entertainment before she became widely known as Gavin MacLeod’s wife. Her career included dance, stage work, TV, and film.

How Old Is Patti Kendig?

Public entertainment records list Patti Kendig’s birth date as February 15, 1931. They also list Washington, D.C., as her birthplace.

Gavin MacLeod was born on February 28, 1931, in Mount Kisco, New York. He and Patti were born in the same month and year.

Patti has kept much of her private life away from the public eye. There is little verified public information about her day-to-day life in recent years.

Patti Kendig’s Acting Career

Patti Kendig had several acting roles on television and in film. Her credits include Wonder Woman, The Love Boat, and Time Changer.

Her link to The Love Boat was special because Gavin MacLeod played Captain Merrill Stubing on the hit series. Patti appeared on the show while Gavin was one of its main stars.

Patti and Gavin also appeared together in the Christian film Time Changer in 2002. Their later work often reflected the strong Christian faith that became an important part of their lives.

Patti Kendig never became as famous as Gavin. Still, she had her own work in dance, theater, television, and film.

Patti Kendig’s Life Before Gavin MacLeod

Before Gavin, Patti had been married to Harry Thomas Steele. Public records say they married in 1951 and later divorced. They had three children together.

Gavin had also been married before. His first wife was Joan Rootvik, a former Rockette. They had two sons and two daughters before their marriage ended in divorce in 1972.

When Patti and Gavin later married, both already had children from earlier marriages. The Washington Post reported that Gavin had four children and three stepchildren.

Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod’s First Marriage

Patti Kendig married Gavin MacLeod in 1974. At the time, Gavin was already well known for playing Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

A few years later, Gavin began playing Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat. The role became one of the best-known parts of his long acting career.

Gavin also struggled with alcohol. Reports about his life say his drinking caused problems in his personal life and played a part in the end of his marriage to Patti.

Patti remained part of his life during important years in his career. She also appeared on The Love Boat, which gave the couple a link both at home and on screen.

Why Did Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod Divorce?

Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod divorced in 1982. Gavin’s problems with alcohol were one of the issues linked to the end of their first marriage.

After the divorce, Gavin stopped drinking. Patti and Gavin also went through major changes in their faith. Both later became born-again Christians.

Their time apart did not end their story. They later began seeing each other again and chose to rebuild their marriage.

Did Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod Have Children Together?

Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod did not have children together. Gavin had four children with his first wife, Joan Rootvik. Patti had three children from her earlier marriage.

Gavin’s four children were from his first marriage. Reliable reports also note that he had three stepchildren through Patti.

Patti and Gavin later became close again after their divorce. In 1985, three years after their first marriage ended, they married each other for a second time.

What Was Patti Kendig’s Role in the Blended Family?

Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod both had children from earlier marriages. Gavin had four children with his first wife, Joan Rootvik. Patti had three children from her earlier marriage. Reports about Gavin’s family also noted that he had three stepchildren.

Patti and Gavin did not have children together. They stayed married for more than three decades after they married again in 1985.

Patti was beside Gavin during many later years of his life. Their marriage became closely linked to their shared Christian faith and family life.

How Did She Live Outside the Spotlight?

Patti Kendig had worked in dance, stage shows, television, and film. But she never had the same level of fame as Gavin.

After their second marriage, Patti and Gavin often spoke about faith and marriage. They wrote the 1987 book Back on Course: The Remarkable Story of a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage. The book shared the story of Gavin’s drinking, their divorce, their faith, and their decision to marry again.

The couple also worked together on Christian television and radio. They hosted programs about marriage under the Back on Course name.

Patti Kendig also appeared with Gavin in some faith-based work. She acted with him in the 2002 film Time Changer.

What Happened to Patti Kendig After Gavin’s Death?

Gavin MacLeod died on May 29, 2021, at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was 90 years old. Patti was still his wife when he died. They had been married for the second time since 1985.

Gavin was survived by Patti, his four children, three stepchildren, grandchildren, and other family members.

Patti Kendig has kept a low public profile since Gavin’s death. There is little verified public information about her daily life after 2021.

As of 2026, Patti is mainly known for her marriage to Gavin, her acting work, and the story of their divorce and remarriage.

What Makes Patti Kendig’s Story Different?

Patti Kendig and Gavin married each other twice. Their first marriage began in 1974 and ended in divorce in 1982. They married again in 1985.

Their reunion was tied to major changes in their lives. Gavin had struggled with alcohol, and both he and Patti later became evangelical Christians.

Patti and Gavin later shared their story in Back on Course. They also used television and radio programs to talk about marriage and faith.

Patti also had her own career. She worked as a dancer and actress and appeared in several TV and film projects.

Final Thoughts

Patti Kendig is best known as Gavin MacLeod’s longtime wife, but she also worked in entertainment. She performed as a dancer, worked on stage, and appeared in television and film.

She and Gavin married in 1974, divorced in 1982, and married again in 1985. Their second marriage lasted until Gavin died in 2021.

Patti and Gavin also worked together on books, television, radio, and film. Their book Back on Course shared the story of their divorce and remarriage.

Patti has kept her private life away from public attention since Gavin’s death. Verified details about her recent life remain limited.

Was Patti Kendig married to Gavin MacLeod twice?

Yes, Patti and Gavin married in 1974, divorced in 1982, and married again in 1985.

Did Patti Kendig and Gavin MacLeod have children together?

No, they did not have children together, but both had children from earlier marriages.

What movies and TV shows was Patti Kendig in?

Patti appeared in The Love Boat, Wonder Woman, and the 2002 film Time Changer.

What happened to Patti Kendig after Gavin MacLeod died?

Patti kept a low public profile after Gavin died in 2021, and little verified information about her recent life is public.