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Kevin Dobson

Biography

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Jump to: Overview (4)  | Mini Bio (1)  | Family (1)  | Trade Mark (3)  | Trivia (26)  | Personal Quotes (9)

Overview (4)

Born in New York City, New York, USA
Died in Stockton, California, USA  (heart attack)
Birth NameKevin Patrick Dobson
Height 5' 11" (1.8 m)

Mini Bio (1)

At his best playing blue-collared tough guys, curly dark-haired Irish-American actor Kevin Patrick Dobson was born in Queens, New York, on March 18, 1943, and raised in the Jackson Heights area of that borough. One of seven children born to a school janitor father and a homemaker mother, the future actor worked as a trainman, brakeman and conductor for the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) before deciding to pursue his acting interests.

Toiling as a waiter/bartender at a restaurant owned by relatives, Dobson's first on-camera viewings began in 1969 on a daytime soap opera, playing various bit parts as cops, orderlies and intern types on The Doctors (1963). Following an unbilled bit in the detective film Klute - rikosetsivä (1971), he gravitated more and more towards TV. In the early 1970's he was spotted here and there on such popular crime shows as "The Mod Squad", "The Rookies", "Ironside", "Cannon", and "Police Story". This led to his pivotal role as young, eager Det. Bobby Crocker on Kojak (1973). He remained with the series throughout its five seasons. In between, he landed a featured role in the film Midwayn taistelu (1976), and earned a top-billed role in the TV movie Stranded (1976) as one of a group of airplane passengers marooned on a deserted island following a crash.

A revolving series of starring roles in TV movies came Dobson's way following Kojak (1973), including Transplant (1979) (starring as a workaholic exec risking a major heart operation); Orphan Train (1979) (with Jill Eikenberry, as a couple involved in the titled NYC movement and welfare program in the 1850s); Hardhat and Legs (1980) (a Gordon/Kanin romantic comedy co-starring Sharon Gless); Reunion (1980) (as a married man tempted at a high school reunion); Mark, I Love You (1980) (as a widower having to fight his late wife's parents for child custody); and New York Hammer (1981) (a Mike Hammer noirish mystery). He was also unsympathetically featured as Barbra Streisand's abusive husband in Pahus, mikä nainen (1981).

Kevin found another crimes series in the early 1980s to star in as the title San Francisco police officer in the short-lived Shannon (1981), which was immediately followed by a second best-remembered series, as federal prosecutor Mack McKenzie, who marries Michele Lee's Karen Fairgate, on the popular night-time soap opera Knots Landing (1979). Dobson copped five Soap Opera Digest Awards for his work on this series. In between the eleven seasons was a reunion Kojak TV movie as (now) Asst. D.A. Bobby Crocker in Kojak: Kieroa peliä (1990); plus other mini-movie leads in Vaarallisilla jäljillä (1989), Valheiden talo (1992) and The Conviction of Kitty Dodds (1993), as well as another detective role in the first season of FX - murha tilauksesta (1996)

Dobson began his career on stage, first with the 1968 national tour of "The Impossible Years". He later served on the board of Lonny Chapman's Group Repertory Theatre company in North Hollywood, where he often directed and acted. Live theatre highlights include Chicago's Royal George Theatre production of the Tony Award-winning play "Art," as well as originating the role of Steve Gallop in the world premiere mounting of the 2000 play, "If It was Easy" in Atlanta. He co-starred with Richard Thomas in Roundabout Theatre Company's 2009 national tour of "12 Angry Men".

Into the millennium, Dobson returned full circle to his daytime soap opera roots with roles as Governor Harrison Brooks on One Life to Live (1968) and Judge Devin Owens on Kauniit ja rohkeat (1987). He would also be the fourth actor taking over the role of Mickey Horton on Päivien viemää (1965). Parts in independent films also came to be with leads in the thriller She's No Angel (2002) opposite Tracey Gold and the mystery drama The Representative (2011), plus featured roles in Crash Landing (2005), 1408 (2007), April Moon (2007) and Dark Power (2013). He later guested on such Tv series as "Nash Bridges", "Cold Case", "CSI", "Hawaii Five-0", and "Anger Management".

A U.S. Army military policeman and proud veteran, Dobson served twice as chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans. Married to wife Susan since 1968 and the father of three children (Sean, Patrick and Mariah), Dobson died on September 6, 2020, aged 77, after suffering a heart attack.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Family (1)

Spouse Susan Dobson (1968 - 6 September 2020)  (his death)  (3 children)

Trade Mark (3)

New York City accent
Frequently plays cops
Thick, commanding voice.

Trivia (26)

One of 7 siblings who were raised in Jackson Heights, Queens (New York City), Dobson's grandfather was an Irish-born decorated NYC police officer.
Worked as a conductor for the Long Island Railroad.
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 known 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 Dobson, Patrick Dobson and Mariah Dobson.
The first winner of the ABC Superstars athletic competition, he and his wife, Susan Dobson, 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, Dobson served as an MP during the Vietnam era. He was twice Chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans ("If you love your country, thank a Vet"). He hosted two Veterans Inaugural Balls, one for President Bill Clinton and one for President George Bush. Dobson 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.
Friends with: Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, Susan Sullivan, Kene Holiday and Larry Manetti.
As young unknown in the 1970s, Dobson was mentored in the business by Telly Savalas on Kojak (1973). Dobson played Savalas's partner, Det. Bobby Crocker, for 115 episodes of the series. Years later, Savalas's stepdaughter, Nicollette Sheridan, co-starred with Dobson on Knots Landing (1979).
Was the first choice for the lead role of the title character in Magnum, P.I. (1980), but turned it down. The role was ultimately given to Tom Selleck.
In January 2008, he played Juror 10 in a stage production of "12 Angry Men" in Toronto, Ontario.
Dobson's acting mentor, good friend, and former series' lead Telly Savalas, died on January 22, 1994, at age 72. (Savalas celebrated his 72nd birthday on January 21, 1994, with friends and family, and passed away, the following day.) Dobson was also good friends with Savalas's children.
Had signed a contract with Universal Studios in 1972.
Actor/singer Telly Savalas took him under his wing, since he was 30. The friendship lasted for 21 years, until Savalas's death in 1994.
Upon his death, Dobson was cremated. His daughter and two sons took custody of his ashes.
Until his death, he had relocated from Los Angeles, California, to Stockton, California.
He was the chairman of the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County.
After almost a decade of being under contract with Universal Studios, he replaced Don Murray when he was auditioning for the role of Knots Landing (1979) as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie, because he was primarily under contract with CBS.
Created the character's name of M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie on Knots Landing (1979), after his real-life children. The "M" was for his daughter: Mariah, and (of course) the name "Patrick" was named after his son.
Credited Telly Savalas as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
As a youth, Dobson was a devout fan of Telly Savalas's movies. Over a decade later, he auditioned and won the role of Savalas's young trusted partner in Kojak (1973).
Had frequently enjoyed working with his acting mentor Telly Savalas on the set of Kojak (1973) and shared his company with him, in real-life. Before his death, he frequently talked about him in interviews.
His acting mentor was the late Telly Savalas.
Had highly praised Telly Savalas for his stardom in acting.

Personal Quotes (9)

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!
[In describing his mentor Telly Savalas's new determination]: He wanted to stop smoking. A friend of mine on the set had a lollipop in his shirt pocket, so I flipped it to him. ... That started the lollipop cop.

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