Hari Rhodes as Mike Makula – Daktari TV Show

Exciting news! For those of you living in the United States, all four seasons of Daktari are now available on Tubi, a free streaming service.

If you are unable to stream on your TV, you can watch it on your computer, tablet or phone by visiting Tubi.com and signing up for an account.

I’ve watched several episodes already and am focusing on Season 4 which I have not viewed since I was a kid. It’s actually not as bad as I remembered it. Erin Moran is sweet as Jenny and I really like the relationship she has with Dr. Tracy. I could do though without Ross Hagen – his character of Bart Jason is not likable. I miss Yale Summers! Fortunately I can watch older episodes to get my dose of him. 🙂

Let us know what episodes you are watching and enjoying. Remember to check out our excellent Episode Guide.

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The following biography was taken from Classic Television Memories: African-Americans in 1960’s Television – Hari Rhodes (Daktari):

Hari Rhodes, actor, author, veteran of television and films was born in 1932 in the East End of my hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He graduated from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor Of Arts Degree. At age 15, he forged his mother’s signature to enlist in the Marines. He served in Korea.

Acting Career

In 1957, he appeared in an episode of Zane Grey Theater which included Sammy Davis, Jr. Throughout the decade of the 60’s, he could be found in numerous television shows such as Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, he was featured in an Outer Limits episode called “Moonstone”, (1964). other roles included Rawhide, Wagon Train and The Fugitive.

In 1966 he starred in Daktari, (1966-1969) which was broadcast on CBS. Rhodes played Mike Makula, one of the assistants of Dr. (Daktari) Marsh Tracy (Marshall Thompson), and his daughter Paula (Cheryl Miller), at the Wamaru veterinary hospital in Africa. The series also featured Clarence The Cross-Eyed Lion and Judy, the Chimp.

After Daktari ended, Rhodes continued acting in movies and on television throughout the 70’s and 80;s. He could be seen in the blaxploitation film Detoit 9000 (1973), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and most notably as Brima Cesay in the 1977 mini-series, Roots.

As an author, Mr. Rhodes published several novels, including one titled The Chosen Few, written about the African-American experience in the Marines.

Mr. Rhodes passed away in 1992 of a heart attack at age 59, in Canoga Park, California.

Rhodes brought an elegance to Daktari as Mike Makula. Handsome with a deep, melodic speaking voice, he was a favorite with fans. Daktari was one of a group of pioneering shows including Julia starring Diahann Carroll and Star Trek with Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura that featured African American actors in key roles.