Starting a new job can be daunting for anyone... There’s a new environment, new rules and a whole new group of people you have no idea if you’ll get along with.

For Kent McCord, those new-job jitters were only amplified by the fact that his new series, Adam-12, would have him starring alongside seasoned actor Martin Milner.

Milner was already a familiar face to television audiences thanks to his role as Tod Stiles on Route 66, a series that already had four seasons under its belt.

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Milner had appeared in every single one. So, when Universal brought the two actors together, to say McCord was nervous would be an understatement.

Luckily, according to an interview between McCord and the Athol Daily News, Milner put McCord’s fears at ease, at least a little, by reminding him that even veteran actors get nervous. 

"Marty was yawning and told me how he couldn't sleep the night before beginning a new show," McCord said. "I'd had a restless evening too, so hearing that from a veteran actor was very reassuring. From that moment on, our relationship was cemented."

That little moment of reassurance helped set the tone for the partnership that would become one of television’s most beloved cop duos.

McCord also reflected on the success of Adam-12 and what made the series so memorable.

"The charm of Adam-12 was its simplicity," McCord said. "Just two cops in a black-and-white patrolling the streets of Los Angeles. The moral of the stories was simply — crime doesn't pay."

"To this day, I get police officers telling me they became cops because of Adam-12," McCord continued. "Others remember how kids approached them differently before and after the show aired. Its positive impact meant a lot to Marty and me."

What started with a case of new-job nerves ultimately became a lasting friendship and a television partnership that left a lasting impression.