Scott Bakula pays tribute to Quantum Leap co-star Dean Stockwell: "I loved him dearly and was honored to know him. He made me a better human being"

Deadline

In a statement to Deadline, Bakula recalls that he and Stockwell, who died Sunday at age 85, had immediate chemistry when they first met for Quantum Leap. "I met Dean at his audition for Quantum Leap in 1988," says Bakula. "He had agreed to ‘read’ for the Network, I was already cast. We connected immediately and my career and my life were changed that day in Brandon Tartikoff’s office. How lucky were we to get him? A few months later he would be nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Married to the Mob, but he was stuck with us. Serendipity? All I know is, he never tried to get out or complain, he loved the role and the show and the rest was history. He became a dear friend and a mentor and we grew very close over the next five, very intense years." Bakula adds that "the only time he ever complained was when we called him on the golf course and told him we were ready for him to come to work! He used to announce his presence on the sound stage (if we hadn’t already caught a whiff of cigar smoke trailing in behind him), with a bellowed, 'The fun starts now!' Truer words were never spoken. I loved him dearly and was honored to know him. He made me a better human being."