Alan Dale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Dale
Dale in 2009
Born	Alan Hugh Dale (1947-05-06) 6 May 1947 (age 78) Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1979–present
Known for	Neighbours (TV series) as Jim Robinson The O.C. (TV series) as Caleb Nichol Ugly Betty (TV series) as Bradford Meade The Young Doctors (TV series) as Dr. John Forest
Spouse(s)	Claire Dale ​ ​ (m. 1968; div. 1979)​ Tracey Pearson ​ (m. 1990)​
Children	4 Simon, Daniel, Matthew, and Nick

Alan Hugh Dale (born May 6, 1947) is a famous actor from New Zealand. He is well-known for playing many different characters on TV shows and in movies. You might know him as Jim Robinson from the Australian TV show Neighbours. He also played Caleb Nichol in The O.C. and Bradford Meade in Ugly Betty. Alan Dale has appeared in many other popular shows like Lost, 24, NCIS, and Dynasty.

Alan Dale's Early Life and Career

Alan Dale was born on May 6, 1947, in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. He was one of four children. Even though his family didn't have much money, he had a happy childhood. Growing up in New Zealand, there was no television, so Alan loved playing rugby, going to the theatre, and doing amateur plays.

His first time performing was at age 13 for a school concert. He did an impression of a comedian named Shelley Berman. Later, his parents helped start a theatre group in Auckland called 'The Little Dolphin Theatre'. Alan often helped backstage, making special effects for the shows.

From Rugby to Acting

Alan was a very good rugby player. However, he chose to become an actor instead. He felt acting gave him the same excitement as rugby. Plus, he thought acting could be a longer career. He stopped playing rugby at 21 because he needed to support his family.

Since acting jobs were few in New Zealand, Alan worked many different jobs. He was a male model, a car salesman, and a realtor. One day, while working as a milkman, he heard a radio DJ quit on air. Alan went to the radio station and told them he could do a better job. They gave him a try, and he became the host of the afternoon show! When he was 27, he decided to become a full-time actor.

Alan Dale's Acting Journey

First Roles and Neighbours

Alan Dale's first acting job was in a play called The Royal Hunt of the Sun. His first TV role was in a New Zealand show called Radio Waves. Even though the show wasn't a big hit, Alan said it was "nine months of solid work and great fun."

In the late 1970s, when he was 32, Alan moved to Australia. There weren't enough acting jobs in New Zealand. He tried to get into a drama school in Sydney but was told he was too old. Soon after, he got a role as Dr. John Forrest in the Australian TV show The Young Doctors. He stayed on that show for three and a half years.

In 1985, Alan got a big role as Jim Robinson in the Australian TV show Neighbours. He was in the very first episode and stayed for eight years! His character was written off the show in 1993. Alan said working on Neighbours was "exciting" because it helped him provide for his sons. However, he also felt that the production company didn't value the actors much. He later returned to Neighbours for guest appearances in 2018 and 2019.

After Neighbours, Alan found it hard to get new acting jobs in Australia. People only saw him as Jim Robinson. He mostly did voice-over work. He also made magazines about Neighbours, which earned him some money. But he lost most of it when a children's magazine he invested in failed.

In 1999, he got a role in an American TV movie called First Daughter, which was filmed in Australia. He found out he could do a good American accent. In January 2000, Alan, his second wife Tracey, and their young son Nick moved to the United States. They lived in a small apartment in Los Angeles. Alan remembered telling his wife, "there's no way this is going to work. But if it does, it proves you can do anything."

Becoming a Star in America

Dale at the 2008 BAFTA Television Awards

At 52 years old, Alan started his acting career again. He took acting classes, which he hadn't done since Neighbours. He said that being older, not well-known in America, and willing to work for less money helped him get jobs. His drama teacher told him that actors often get cast as a "specific type." Alan realized he could play roles similar to those played by actors like Anthony Hopkins or Sean Connery.

His big break came when he was cast in four episodes of the popular medical drama ER. Since then, Alan has been "busier than ever."

He has appeared in many TV shows. These include The West Wing, Torchwood, Californication, and The Practice. He often played recurring roles, like Tom Morrow in JAG and NCIS. He was also the "Toothpick Man" in The X-Files. Alan played Vice President Jim Prescott in 24 for seven episodes, even though it was planned to be just one scene! He also had roles in Midnight Man, Sea Patrol, Undercovers, and Entourage. He played King George in Once Upon a Time and General Edward Riesen in Dominion.

From 2003 to 2010, Alan had some of his longest roles in American TV. He starred in The O.C. as Caleb Nichol, a rich businessman. The producers liked his character so much that they made him a regular. After 35 episodes, Caleb was killed off in 2005. Alan was sad about this, thinking it was a mistake.

In 2006, Alan was cast as Bradford Meade in Ugly Betty. He played the owner of a publishing company. He impressed the producers, but they first chose a "bigger star." When that actor caused problems and was fired, Alan got the part! Bradford was also killed off during the show's second season.

Alan also appeared in Lost as Charles Widmore, a mysterious businessman. This role became a recurring one, and he appeared many times between 2006 and 2010. He enjoyed the role, even though his character's reasons were often unclear.

Stage and Film Roles

In 2008, Alan Dale played King Arthur in the London stage show Spamalot. This musical is based on the famous Monty Python movies. He took the role because he was a big fan of Monty Python. He had never seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, so he bought a copy to prepare! He found the comedy timing of the part to be the hardest.

Alan has also been in several movies. He played Praetor Hiren in Star Trek: Nemesis. He had smaller roles in films like Hollywood Homicide, After the Sunset, and General Ross in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Alan said his script for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was printed on tin foil to keep the plot a secret! In 2011, he appeared in four movies: A Little Bit of Heaven, Priest, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Alan Dale's Popularity and Acting Style

Even after becoming successful in America, many people in the United Kingdom and Australia still knew Alan Dale best as Jim Robinson from Neighbours. This was even made fun of in a TV ad where an Australian fan recognized him as Jim Robinson. Alan hoped that after Ugly Betty won a Golden Globe, people would just know him as "actor Alan Dale."

Alan's characters in American TV shows often have similar traits. He describes them as the "go-to powerful guy." He said, "I either play rulers of the world or the guy who kills the ruler of the world." Reviewers have noticed his tendency to play powerful, rich, and mysterious characters. One reviewer said he is "always so great at playing That Sketchy Wealthy Guy With a Hidden Agenda." It's also a funny coincidence that his characters in Neighbours, The O.C., and Ugly Betty all died from a heart attack!

Another writer said that Alan Dale is "always good" and "never lets you down." They added that his presence in a show "lent it some weight."

Alan Dale's Personal Life

In 1968, Alan married his girlfriend, Claire. They had two sons, Simon and Matthew. Both of them work in the entertainment industry. Simon is a radio announcer, and Matthew is a writer, filmmaker, and actor. Alan and Claire divorced in 1979. After the divorce, Alan moved to Sydney with his sons.

On April 8, 1990, Alan married Tracey Pearson, who was Miss Australia in 1986. They met at the 1986 Australian Grand Prix. Alan said it was "the most appropriate relationship I've ever had." Alan and Tracey have two more children, Daniel and Nick.

Today, Alan and his family live in Manhattan Beach, California. He also owns property in Australia. Alan's parents both passed away in 2007. Alan's life motto is a quote from Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up." He also looks up to actor Gene Hackman as his acting hero.

Filmography

Films

Television

Video games

Theatre

• Spamalot (2008) – King Arthur

See also

In Spanish: Alan Dale para niños