jack webb, the executive producer of "adam-12" selected boyett for the role of sgt. "mac" macdonald after several performances (such as playing sgt. sam hunter) in both iterations of webb's "dragnet". (boyett can also be seen uncredited as a baliff in the 1954 movie version.) boyett stayed with the series for its entire 1968–1975 run. boyett also supported broderick crawford in 64 episodes of "highway patrol" as either officer johnson or sergeant williams.