Martin Milner Dead -- 'Adam 12' Actor Dies at 83

Martin Milner, who starred in the huge hit '60s and '70s show "Adam 12" -- which spawned generations of kids who wanted to become cops -- has died.

L.A. Police Chief Charlie Beck tells TMZ, "Milner's depiction of a professional and tough yet compassionate cop led to thousands of men and women applying to become LAPD officers, including me."

Milner also starred in another enormous show -- "Route 66" -- which was a big hit in the '60s.

The actor had roles on several other big hit shows, like "Columbo," "Swiss Family Robinson," "Valley of the Dolls" and "Murder She Wrote."

We're told he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.