On TV, De Mave, 91, was known for his roles in shows like “Lassie” during the 1960s and ’70s, as well as for portraying The Lone Ranger in commercials for Frito-Lay. The actor, who was in hospice care in Macon, Georgia, died Jan. 16 after he had a heart attack on Thanksgiving, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Jack De Mave, who portrayed a U.S. forest ranger on Lassie and an unconventional date for Valerie Harper ’s Rhoda Morgenstern on the second episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has died. He was 91.

Actor Jack De Mave passed away at the age of 91 on January 16, 2025. He reportedly suffered from a heart attack on Thanksgiving Day that led to him being put in hospice care. De Mave was best known for playing a forest ranger on Lassie and appeared as Rhoda’s date in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Jack De Mave, who played Forest Ranger Bob Erickson in CBS’ Lassie, died in hospice care in Macon, Georgia on January 16 following a heart attack on Thanksgiving Day. He was 91. Born John Francois De Mave in Jersey City,