Biography for
Kevin Dobson (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

18 March 1943, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name

Kevin Patrick Dobson

Height

5' 11" (1.80 m)

Spouse

Susan Dobson

(1968 - present) 3 children

Trivia

One of 7 siblings.

Raised in Jackson Heights, Queens.

Worked as a conductor for the Long Island Railroad.

His Grandfather, an Irish immigrant, was a decorated NYC police officer.

Hosted inaugural ball for both George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton.

He has a daughter and two sons

Received a phone call from the producers of "Knots Landing" (1979) about playing the role of a district attorney. At first, he was very unhappy about it, but then he liked it, and stood with his character for more than a decade.

Best remembered by the public for his roles as Det. Bobby Crocker in "Kojak" (1973) and as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in "Knots Landing" (1979).

Has three children: Sean, Patrick and Mariah.

The first winner of the ABC Superstars athletic competition, he and wife Susan raise funds through the Kevin Dobson Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Institute, of which Susan has been a member of the Board of Directors.

In the U.S. Army he served as an MP during the Vietnam era. He has twice been Chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans ("If you love your country, thank a Vet."). He has also hosted two Veterans Inaugural Balls, one for both Presidents Clinton and Bush. Widely respected by Veterans organizations for his service to help hospitalized veterans, he has received the Silver Helmet Award and the American Legion Award.

A one-time semi-pro baseball player, his two sons have shared his passion for the sport. Son Sean attended Santa Barbara City College where he played baseball; son Patrick graduated attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, where he was an All-American third baseman.

Understudied Jon Voight in a stage production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1973.

Personal Quotes

If you love your country, thank a Veteran.

[on encouraging other actors to follow their understudies]: Commitment to a goal is not a sometimes thing. I work at my craft every day as hard as I can. I can't say that I am in this business alone and I will succeed alone and will go into the future alone. It takes an absolute team. When you have a good team ... I credit my wife with that, the people around me like Joe Sutton, the right representation in agents, choosing the right material, being in the right place at the right time... and most of all, being patient. At first, I wanted all the leads and after realizing what the inside of the business is about and how I can build to get those leads, you have to have patience, so I credit dedication with tenacity as purpose will be rewarded. I firmly believe that it's a constant work effort, work ethic, belief in yourself and your abilities and not being afraid to take the next step forward.

[When he made his directorial debut on "Knots Landing" (1979)]: It was everything I thought It would be and more. I was in total control. I felt like I wanted to do all the parts and yet you find out, you make a suggestion here and there and you see that come to fruition, you see that come alive. It's so rewarding. I had a great time with the younger people who are still finding a way, I really had a good time in making some adjustments and was tested as far as my creative input. on the technical side, I didn't walk in there pretending I knew the camera, you know.

[About doing something else after "Kojak" (1973)]: I've been fortunate in that when "Kojak" (1973) ended, the dream happened again. And now I've done nine Movies of the Week that I've had the lead in and the movies are another career. I'm proud of where I am today and proud of what the future will hold in my profession.

I've lost two friends to AIDS, so if I can lend my support in helping out then I will do that. I'm also involved with the Special Olympics, which covers a wide variety of diseases.

[When he found out if Telly Savalas was going to have a TV series of his own]: I heard that Telly Savalas was going to do a TV series --- he was a friend of mine. Called my agent. Get on it, right away; went on to it, the next day, and said, 'What happened?' Call or what? Look, Telly Savalas is doing this and I'm right for him, you know, and he did and he made the arrangements. At that time, I had nothing, and a friend of mine, he had a vest, suit, everything.

[on his on- and off-screen chemistry with Telly Savalas, who played Lt. Theo Kojak]: What an opportunity! I am so grateful to have worked with him. He was a hard-nosed movie star, but as sensitive as anyone could be. He was a family man - always - whether it was his mother, nieces, or brother visiting the set. We were always putting his family in the holding cell during a scene.

[Of Telly Savalas]: Telly was as soft as they come, he was like lemon meringue pie, he was a terrific guy. Very good family man, always had family, his mother was around, his brother [of course] worked with him on the show, and there were always people around. You know, when you met Telly, you know, you walk away, you feel like your best friend. You just renew the relationship. He's very gracious, and he lived life to his fullest!

Where Are They Now

(January 2008) On stage in Toronto Ontario, playing Juror 10 in Twelve Angry Men.