Michael Tucci left the show at the end of the fourth season because Dick Van Dyke had decided the show didn't need 2 comedians.
Diagnosis Murder is a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman. Jake and the Fatman was itself a spin-off of Matlock. Here Matlock (Andy Griffith) appears in this two-parter.
Barry Van DykeCarey Van Dyke / FatherBarry Van Dyke is an American actor and the second son of actor and entertainer Dick Van Dyke and Margie Willett, and nephew of Jerry Van Dyke. He has often worked with his father. Wikipedia
With Jesse falsely accused of murdering Eric Spindler, Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) gathers all the evidence to find the real killer. With Jesse falsely accused of murdering Eric Spindler, Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) gathers all the evidence to find the real killer.
After the show had moved from NBC to ABC for the series' seventh season, he was about to work on a pilot for another series on CBS, hence, most of Gilyard's appearances have been reduced on Matlock.
Shane Van Dyke (born August 28, 1979) is an American television and film actor, film director, and screenwriter....Shane Van DykeOccupationActor, screenwriter, film directorYears active1993–presentSpouse(s)Julie SchreinerParent(s)Barry Van Dyke Mary Carey Van Dyke2 more rows
January 5, 2018Jerry Van Dyke / Date of death
Shane Van DykeAlex Smith is played by Shane Van Dyke and Is a Medical Student that is good friends with Mark, Steve, Jesse, and Amanda. Alex Smith appears in the 7th-8th seasons and the last TV movie "Without Warning".