Note: For the actor of the same name, see John Gabriel (actor). For the webcomic character, see Penny Arcade.John Gabriel is an executive in the National Basketball Association. In 2008, he became the director of scouting for the New York Knicks. He was previously a scout and administrator for the Portland Trail Blazers, and he is best known for his stint as general manager with the Orlando Magic. During that time (1999—2003), he won the NBA's Executive of the Year award, only to be dismissed in the beginning of the 2003 season.Gabriel won the 1999 NBA Executive of the Year Award after dismantling the previous year's team and trading players for future draft picks. With Darrell Armstrong leading the team, the Magic compiled a respectable 41-41 win-loss record and barely missed the playoffs. Gabriel won the award because the team was composed of virtually non-notable players, and most experts had predicted the team to falter. In addition, Gabriel hired Doc Rivers as head coach of the Magic at the beginning of that season. Seen as a risky move by most experts, Rivers guided the team well and won Coach of the Year honors.The following season, with millions in salary cap space, the Magic, led by Gabriel, pursued free agents Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, and Tracy McGrady. Ultimately, Hill and McGrady came to Orlando while Duncan decided to stay with the San Antonio Spurs. In addition, Gabriel is also known for drafting Mike Miller, who would later become Rookie of the Year.In the 2003-04 NBA season, however, Gabriel was fired by the Magic in the middle of a franchise record 19-game losing streak. Gabriel returned to basketball in the NBA as an executive and scout.
[on losing the role of the Professor after he played the character in the Gilligan's Island pilot] It was the first time in my adult life that I remember weeping. And I think part of that has to do with the fact that I built this thing up to such a degree it was going to be my breakthrough.
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Fact
1
According to census records, his father was born in Palestine, of Polish-Jewish parentage.
2
Not to be confused with older UK character actor John Gabriel (III) who worked during the same years in British films and television.
3
Has two daughters: Melissa and Andrea.
4
John Gabriel played the "Professor" in the unaired pilot of Gilligan's Island (1964). This pilot also has a different theme song, composed by John Williams.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Michael Shayne
1961
TV Series
Tom Dennis
Hawaiian Eye
1960-1961
TV Series
Derek Demarest / Buddy Keene
Surfside 6
1961
TV Series
Jonah Starr
General Electric Theater
1959-1961
TV Series
Policeman / Absalom
The Story of Ruth
1960
Chilion
The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond
1960
Gunman (uncredited)
In Love and War
1958
Officer at Party (uncredited)
The Hunters
1958
1st Lt. Corona
African Patrol
1958
TV Series
Jenner / Milo
The New Adventures of Charlie Chan
1958
TV Series
Dubois
The Young Lions
1958
Burn (uncredited)
South Pacific
1958
2nd Communications Man
Men of Annapolis
1958
TV Series
Layden / Fenton
You Are There
1953
TV Series
Maj. John Andre
Love of Life
1951
TV Series
Link Morrison (1970-1972)
Red Dead Redemption
2010
Video Game
Billy West (voice)
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
2004-2005
TV Series
P.A. Announcer / Dr. Zola / Worker
Days of Our Lives
2002
TV Series
Pete LeGrand
Law & Order
1999
TV Series
Bernard Kincaide
Seinfeld
1993
TV Series
Newscaster
Murder, She Wrote
1993
TV Series
Dr. Johnny Windhurst
Gilligan's Island
1992
TV Series
The Professor
The Return of Superfly
1990
Sarge Joyner
Generations
1989
TV Series
Vic Reynolds (1989)
Ryan's Hope
1975-1989
TV Series
Dr. Seneca Beaulac
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
TV Movie
Joshua Lambert
Kate & Allie
1987
TV Series
Peter Rutland
Loving
1983
TV Series
Zack Conway (1986-1987)
Hart to Hart
1982
TV Series
Justin
A Kind of Loving
1982
TV Mini-Series
Mr. van Huyten
Fantasies
1982
TV Movie
Mallory
It's My Turn
1980
Hunter
The Love Boat
1980
TV Series
Floyd Gaines
Just Tell Me What You Want
1980
Commentator
A Most Public Affair
1978
TV Movie
Mr. Justice Parker
Network
1976
TV Anchor Reporting Beale's Suicide Threat (uncredited)