Local actor started theater

Mike Monahan Actor Mike Monahan, who helped to found the Showboat Dinner Theatre on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, died recently. The 77-year-old actor's cause of death was said to be lung disease.

Monahan was born in San Jose on July 26, 1929. His father was Philip Wilson Jr. Monahan's mother, Esther Bruce Gibson Monahan, and his grandmother, Esther Gibson, moved to Carmel, Calif., where Monahan grew up.

While attending Carmel High School, he wrote and produced several shows at the Forest Theatre, along with Don Adams, Ric Masten and Owen Greenan. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Santa Clara University.

While he served as a chaplain's assistant in the Navy in San Diego, he performed at the city's Globe Theatre.

He moved to southern California to continue his acting career. He appeared in "Father Knows Best," Starsky & Hutch," Cannon," "Sugarfoot" and other TV shows.

He had four children with his first wife, Sherry Rodgers.

Monahan created several local theatre groups. He and his second wife, Ann Dickinson, began The Horizon Players in Simi Valley. They started Showboat Troupe Inc. in 1980 which included the Showboat Youtheatre and Showboat Dinner Theatre.

He is survived by eight children and nine grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mike Monahan Showboat Scholarship Fund, 505 Live Oak Circle, Calabasas, CA 91302.