Murder Will Out, and was host of G. I. Laffs On television, Gargan starred in 39 episodes of Martin Kane, Private Eye, which ran on NBC from 1949 to 1954 and was syndicated in 1957–1958 and on The New Adventures of Martin Kane, which ran on NBC in 1953–54. Later years Gargan's acting career came to an end in 1958 when he developed throat cancer, and doctors were forced to remove his larynx in 1960. Speaking through an artificial voice box, Gargan became an activist and spokesman for the American Cancer Society, often warning about the dangers of smoking. In 1965, Mutual of Omaha presented its annual Criss Award to Gargan for "his inspirational self-rehabilitation efforts and his outstanding contributions to established rehabilitation programs." No longer able to act, he formed William Gargan Productions, making traditional films and television films in Hollywood. Family Gargan and his wife, Mary, had two sons, Leslie and Barrie. Death He died of a heart attack aged 73 on February 17, 1979, on a flight between New York City and San Diego. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego, California. Partial filmography Lucky Boy (1928) – bit part (uncredited) Follow the Leader (1930) – a gangster His Woman (1931) – (uncredited) Partners (1931, short) Misleading Lady (1932) – Fitzpatrick Rain (1932) – Sergeant O'Hara The Sport Parade (1932) – Johnny Baker The Animal Kingdom (1932) – 'Red' Regan Lucky Devils (1933) – Bob Hughes Sweepings (1933) – Gene Pardway The Story of Temple Drake (1933) – Stephen Benbow Emergency Call (1933) – Steve Brennan Headline Shooter (1933) – Bill Allen Night Flight (1933) – Brazilian pilot Aggie Appleby Maker of Men (1933) – Red Branahan Four Frightened People (1934) – Stewart Corder The Line-Up (1934) – Bob Curtis Strictly Dynamite (1934) – George Ross British Agent (1934) – Bob Medill A Night at the Ritz (1935) – Duke Regan Traveling Saleslady (1935) – Pat O'Connor Black Fury (1935) – Slim Don't Bet on Blondes (1935) Bright Lights (1935) – Dan Wheeler Broadway Gondolier (1935) – Cliff Stanley Things Are Looking Up (1935) – Van Gaard Man Hunt (1936) – Hank Dawson The Milky Way (1936) – Speed McFarland The Sky Parade (1936) – Speed Robertson Mariners of the Sky/Navy Born (1936) – Lt. Red Furness Blackmailer (1936) – Peter Cornish Alibi for Murder (1936) – Perry Travis Fury and the Woman (1936)