Television host and actor Gary Collins dies at age 74

Gary Collins, the former Miss America emcee who was also a television actor and host, has died at the age of 74.

The Biloxi, Miss., resident died of natural causes just before 1 a.m. Saturday at Biloxi Regional Medical Center, Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove told the Associated Press.

Collins's acting career began in the 1960s, when he appeared in several movies and TV shows, including "The Wackiest Ship in the Army." He starred in the 1970s TV series "The Sixth Sense" and hosted the television show "Hour Magazine" from 1980-88, for which the six-time Emmy Award nominee took home the prize as Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1983. He also served as the master of ceremonies for the Miss America Pageant from 1985-89.

Collins is also known for his guest appearances on a variety of television shows, including "Charlie's Angels," "The Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," "Alice," and "Marcus Welby, MD."

Born in 1938 in Venice, Calif., Collins's interest in acting started when served in the Army and was a radio and television performer for the Armed Forces Network.

He married former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley in 1967, and the couple had one daughter together before separating last year, according to TMZ.

Collins also had two children from a previous marriage.

Collins moved to Mobley's home state of Mississippi in 2011, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Times also reports that he had a few run-ins with the law in recent years, including two DUI cases in California in 2007 and 2009.