HAWAII FIVE-O - MATLOCK STAR NEWTON DEAD AT 79

Beloved MATLOCK star RICHARD LEE NEWTON died at him home in Texas on Friday (13JAN06). He was 79.

The actor, who played JUDGE RICHARD COOKSEY on the long-running detective drama, was also an acclaimed TV producer and helped to create hit US shows like HONEY WEST and HAWAII FIVE-O.

Among his many acting roles, Newton also played characters in top 1950s shows like ZANE GREY THEATER and FRONTIER JUSTICE.

The cause of death has not been determined.