Robert Pine: Chris’ dad in real life, but a great dad on TV

Robert Pine played Sergeant Joe Getraer in "CHiPs".
Source: https://chipsonentwo.weebly.com/robert-pine-getraer.html
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When Chris Pine debuted as Captain James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams’ re-boot of “Star Trek” in 2009, I was impressed by his performance, but also wondered – is he related to Robert Pine?

It turns out he is the son of the venerable actor.

I was thinking of Robert Pine recently when he not only guest starred as the birth father of Rob Lowe’s character in “911: Lone Star” but played the estranged brother of a dying Vietnam veteran in an episode of “Magnum P.I.”.

It brought back memories of 30 years ago when Pine played a father figure in one role and an actual dad in another.

CHiPs
It was another staple of Sunday night viewing in the later 1970s and early 1980s. CHiPs aired on Channel 7 on the peasant vision dial, from 1977 to 1983.

The show featured Jon Baker and Frank Poncharello, California Highway Patrolman nicknamed CHiPs, hence the name of the show. Baker was played by Larry Wilcox and Poncharello, nicknamed “Ponch”, was played by Erik Estrada.

“Ponch” always seemed to be getting in trouble, while Baker was straight-laced and by the book. In fact, initially Baker was paired with “Ponch” to try and keep him in line.

Sergeant Joe Getraer, played by Robert Pine, was the commander Baker was trying to keep “Ponch” from getting in trouble with.

Pine’s portrayal of Getraer was much like so many other commanders of shows, such as this, in the 1980s. He was a father figure – gruff and stern on one hand, but sensitive and compassionate on the other. He played the perfect foil to “Ponch”.

Robert Pine guest starred as Thomas Sullivan Junior,
Thomas Magnum's father, in "Magnum P.I.".
Source: http://magnum-mania.com/Pics/
Screen_Caps_Season_Four.html
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Dear dad
The other role that really stands out for me, was a guest star in “Magnum P.I.” – Thomas Sullivan Magnum Junior. He was the father of Thomas Sullivan Magnum III, the private investigator operating from Robin Masters’ Estate in Hawaii. Pine reprised that role three times through the 1980s 

The episode I will always remember is the first episode of the fourth season. Magnum is stranded at sea, trapped in the ocean and forced to tread shark-infested waters for hours until help arrives. He thinks back to his life growing up, and we meet his father, played by Robert Pine.

In the flashbacks, Magnum is trying to beat his record treading water, and encouraged all the way by his father. Later, he tries to tread water for an hour. He holds on to this memory to keep on treading water until help arrives. When it does, he continues on until he meets the challenge and exclaims he did it Dad. We later learn all of this was intertwined with memories of Magnum’s father shipping off to the Korean Conflict and never coming home. In fact, his funeral was on July 4, the day Magnum is lost at sea, put in danger in part by the fact he wanted to spend the day alone.

It was an awesome episode.

Parting thoughts
Robert Pine would continue acting right on to this day, including reprising the role of Joe Getraer in a “CHiPs” reunion movie. It is also cool that he appeared in both the original “Magnum P.I.” and the re-boot.

Every rebellious police officer needs a straight-laced supervising officer to play off, someone who is tough but also reasonable and flexible enough for the relationship to grow. In essence, a father figure. Robert Pine did a great job of that as Joe Getraer.

However, what makes him most memorable to me is the turn he took as an actual father – Thomas Magnum’s dad.