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Kevin Dobson
Kevin Dobson 1975.JPG
Dobson in Kojak (1975)
Born
Kevin Patrick Dobson

(1943-03-18)March 18, 1943
Died September 6, 2020(2020-09-06) (aged 77)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1968–2017
Spouse(s)
Susan Dobson
(m. 1968)
Children 3

Kevin Patrick Dobson (March 18, 1943 – September 6, 2020) was an American film and television actor, best known for his roles as Detective Bobby Crocker, the trusted protege of Lt. Theo Kojak (played by Telly Savalas) in the CBS crime drama Kojak (1973–1978), and as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the prime time soap opera Knots Landing (1982–1993).

On April 1, 2008, Dobson made his first appearance in the NBC Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives in the role of Mickey Horton.

Early life

Dobson was born in Jackson Heights, New York, and was of Irish descent. He was one of seven children born to the janitor of a grammar school (Our Lady of Fatima, Jackson Heights, New York) and a stay-at-home mother. Before embarking on an acting career, Dobson worked as a trainman, brakeman, and conductor for the Long Island Rail Road, followed by a few years as a waiter.

Career

After a brief appearance in the 1971 film Klute, and small acting roles on TV series such as The Mod Squad, Emergency!, and Cannon, Dobson signed a contract with Universal Studios in 1972. This led to his role of Det. Bobby Crocker, Lt. Theo Kojak's young partner, in the TV series Kojak, opposite Telly Savalas. For the role, he had to borrow a suit. He had twice auditioned and failed, then called his agent, telling him, "'Do what you have to do,' so he called in a favor and I read for them [again]. I was a military policeman in the Army, so I knew how to hold a gun and throw somebody against a wall. I got a call [the next night] asking if I'd sign a contract." Dobson auditioned for a third time and finally won the role. He remained with Kojak for its entire five-season run from 1973 to 1978, and later reunited with Savalas for the 1990 TV movie, Kojak: It's Always Something, his character having become an assistant district attorney. They remained friends until Savalas' death from bladder cancer in 1994.

In 1976, Dobson was on Battle of the Network Stars with Savalas (Captain), Adrienne Barbeau, Gary Burghoff, Pat Harrington, Bill Macy, Lee Meriwether, Mackenzie Phillips, Loretta Swit, and Jimmie Walker. In 1978, Dobson played Pete Lomas in the two-part TV movie The Immigrants, based on the novel by Howard Fast.

In 1981, Dobson starred as Det. Jack Shannon, a San Francisco police officer who is a single father, on the CBS series Shannon. However, the show failed to gain substantial ratings and was canceled after nine episodes. A more successful TV role for Dobson followed in 1982 as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the prime-time soap opera Knots Landing, opposite Michele Lee. He joined the show at the beginning of its fourth season in September 1982 and remained in the role until its cancellation in 1993. Dobson won five Soap Opera Digest Awards for his work on the series. He later reunited with his Knots Landing co-stars for a miniseries, Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac in 1997, and again in the 2005 non-fiction special Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again.

Dobson also appeared in a number of feature films, most notably the World War II movie Midway (1976) alongside Henry Fonda and Charlton Heston, as Ensign George Gay — a pilot and the sole survivor of Torpedo Squadron Eight from the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet's ill-fated opening attack against the Japanese fleet on June 4, 1942. Another prominent role was as Bobby Gibbons, the husband of Cheryl Gibbons (Barbra Streisand) in the 1981 romantic comedy All Night Long. He also had a small role as a priest in the well-received 2007 psychological horror film 1408.

Dobson continued to appear in a number of television roles, including the syndicated F/X: The Series for one season (1996–1997) and the daytime drama series One Life to Live (2003), The Bold and the Beautiful (2006–2007), and Days of Our Lives, where he was the fourth and final actor to play original character Mickey Horton. He featured in 15 episodes of the show from April to October 2008. The character then left with no explanation, before being "killed off" in January 2010. Although Mickey is best remembered for being portrayed by veteran soap actor John Clarke for almost 40 years, Dobson instead appeared as Mickey in the character's final appearances in 2008.

Stage roles

Dobson starred in the Tony Award winning play 'Art' at the Royal George Theater in Chicago. He originated the role of Steve Gallop in the world premiere of the American Theatre Critics Association nominated stage play "If it was Easy..." at The 7Stages Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, and appeared in many other stage roles across the United States.

He starred with Richard Thomas in the 2009 stage production of 12 Angry Men. Dobson stated, concerning actors who are afraid of being typecast, "You should be so lucky."

Affiliations

Dobson, a former Army soldier (MP), served twice as chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans. Having long assisted with the needs of hospitalized veterans, Dobson received the AMVETS (American Veterans) Silver Helmet Peace Award and the American Legion Award. Dobson, was a life member of AMVETS and also a charter member of AMVETS MOH Richard A. Pittman Post #1947 - Stockton, California.

Personal life and death

Dobson married his wife, Susan, in 1968. They had three children: Mariah, Patrick and Sean. He was the chairman of the United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County (UVCSJC). Dobson died after struggling with an autoimmune deficiency on September 6, 2020 in Stockton, California. UVCSJC reported his death the following day. He was 77.

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
1971 Klute Man at Bar Uncredited
1976 Midway Ensign George H. Gay Jr.
1981 All Night Long Bobby Gibbons
1999 Restraining Order Police Captain
1999 Nathan Grimm Nathan Grimm Short
2002 She's No Angel Donald Shawnessy
2005 Crash Landing Henderson Davis Direct-to-DVD
2007 1408 Priest
2007 April Moon Jeffrey
2009 Portal Benedict Direct-to-video
2011 The Representative Hon. Justice Evans
2013 Dark Power Mayor Stan Wood
2014 Full Circle Henry Short

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1968 One Life to Live Gov. Harrison Brooks TV series
1969–1971 The Doctors Various 8 episodes
1971 The Mod Squad Howie Episode: "Feet of Clay"
1972 The Rookies Pilot, Uncredited
1972 Emergency! First Deputy Episode: "Decision"
1972 Ironside Young Marine Episode: "Nightmare Trip"
1972 Cannon Hotel Security Guard Episode: "The Shadow Man"
1973–1978 Kojak Det. Bobby Crocker 117 episodes
1973 Police Story Patrolman Episode: "Slow Boy"
1976 Stranded Rafe Harder TV movie
1977 Captain Kangaroo Mac Hasty TV series
1978 The Immigrants Pete Lomas TV movie
1978 Greatest Heroes of the Bible Joab Episode: "The Judgment of Solomon"
1979 Transplant John Hurley TV movie
1979 Orphan Train Carlin TV movie
1980 Hardhat and Legs Sal Pacheco TV movie
1980 Reunion Don Hollander TV movie
1980 Mark, I Love You Hal Painter TV movie
1981–1982 Shannon Det. Jack Shannon 9 episodes
1981 Margin for Murder Mike Hammer TV movie
1982–1993 Knots Landing M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie 291 episodes
Soap Opera Digest Award: Favorite Super Couple on a Prime Time Serial (with Michele Lee) (1986);
Favorite Super Couple: Prime Time (with Michele Lee); Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role: Prime Time; Outstanding Hero: Prime Time; Outstanding Actor: Prime Time (1988, 1991-1992)
Nominated—Soap Opera Digest Award: Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role on a Prime Time Serial; Outstanding Actress/Actor in a Comic Relief Role on a Prime Time Serial (1986)
1982 CBS Schoolbreak Special Jim Welsh Episode: "Help Wanted"
1984 Tales of the Unexpected Fred Pearson Episode:' "The Dirty Detail" Also starring George Peppard
1984 Sweet Revenge Col. Joseph Cheever TV movie
1989 Money, Powder, Murder Peter Finley TV movie
1990 Kojak: It's Always Something Assistant District Attorney Bobby Crocker TV movie
1990 Casey's Gift: For Love of a Child Hank Bolen TV movie
1991 Fatal Friendship Michael TV movie
1992 Dirty Work Tom TV movie
1992 A House of Secrets of Lies Jack Evans TV movie
1993 The Conviction of Kitty Dodds Chuck Hayes TV movie
1994 Burke's Law Sheriff Greene Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?"
1994 Touched by an Angel Coach Earl Rowley Episode: "Show Me the Way Home"
1994 The Commish Frank Botrell Episode: "Revenge"
1995 If Someone Had Known Jack Liner TV movie
1996–1997 F/X: The Series Det. Leo McCarthy 22 episodes
1996 Voice from the Grave Det. Joe Sraccula TV movie
1997 Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac Mack MacKenzie Miniseries
1997 Early Edition Darrel Foster Episode: "March in Time"
1998 Nobody Lives Forever Lt. Jim Ransom TV movie
2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Episode: "The Two Sides of Love"
2000 Nash Bridges Raymond Porter Episode: "Double Trouble"
2001 The Haunted Heart Mr. Hopkins TV short
2001 She's No Angel Donald Shawnessy TV movie
2005 Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again Himself TV special
2006–2007 The Bold and the Beautiful Judge Devin Owens 13 episodes
2007 Christmas at Cadillac Jack's Cop TV movie
2008 Days of Our Lives Mickey Horton 15 episodes
2008 Cold Case Mickey Thompson '08 Episode: "The Dealer"
2012 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Malcolm Turner Episode: "Ms. Willows Regrets"
2012 Hawaii Five-0 Al Shepard Episode: "Ha'alele"
2013 House of Lies Mr. Pinkus 4 episodes
2013 ... Sea Vampires Glenn Hunter TV movie
2014 Anger Management Dr. Cameron Episode: "Charlie and his Probation Officer's Daughter"
2017 12 to Midnight Episode: "Nana's Pancakes"

See also

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