Dirk Benedict had such success in the 1980’s that you often forget that you haven’t seen him in much recently.
He got into acting accidentally, accepting a dare in college to try out for a production of SHOWBOAT. He got the part, and continued with it.
Dirk made his film debut in a 1972 film called GEORGIA, GEORGIA (which was written by Maya Angelou) and starring in the killer snake film SSSSSSS.
He quickly moved into starring in a network series, CHOPPER ONE, a series about a helicopter that ran on ABC for one season in 1974.
There were supporting roles in TV series like HAWAII FIVE O and CHARLIE’S ANGELS before the role that some still know him best as.
Starbuck on the original BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Who could forget him as the wisecracking, cigar chomping pilot.
What I still have trouble realizing is that the show, while very popular if you were a certain age, only lasted 21 episodes, from 1978 to 1979. With all the toys I bought you would have thought I could have financed another season.
There were a few more films, SCAVENGER HUNT which seemed to always be on cable in the early days. He starred in FOLLOW THAT CAR and UNDERGROUND ACES.
In 1981, he made a film called RUCKUS with Ben Johnson and Linda Blair. A favorite of mine on cable, this told pretty much the same story as Stallone’s FIRST BLOOD about a Viet Nam vet returning home and taking on an entire town. Only, it was made before. (NOTE: I was just surprised to find out the DVD of RUCKUS is now out of print and going for $175 on Amazon. Worth looking for as it contains a great commentary with the director, Dirk and Blair).
Dirk starred in a few more TV movies and episodic guest starring roles until 1983 when he got another of his iconic roles.
THE A-TEAM where he played FACE. Those fans of his who remembered him as Starbuck were now able to see him in another role, making him a favorite actor for many.
This series ran from 1983 to 1987, longer than GALACTICA. But it would also prove to be one of the last major roles of his career.
Most of his following work consisted of more guest stints on shows (from BAYWATCH and THE COMMISH to MURDER SHE WROTE and WALKER TEXAS RANGER). He starred in a few films (most notably 1996’s ALASKA), but most of them had little if any release.
So What Ever Happened To Him?
Dirk’s behind the scenes life seems to have been even more interesting than his feature film roles.
In 1974 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Rather than doing the treatment the doctor suggested, he switched to a macrobiotic diet that was introduced to him by Gloria Swanson, who he was starring in a Broadway production of BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE with. He claims that this cured the cancer.
Dirk has written two books. CONFESSIONS OF A KAMIKAZE COWBOY tells the story of his career and macriobotic diet. The second, AND THEN WE WENT FISHING, is a more personal family story.
He also hasn’t finished his work on the screen. He wrote and directed the 2001 film CAHOOTS (starring Keith Carradine, David Keith, Wendie Malick and Janet Gunn). It doesn’t appear that the film made it out of the film festival circuit as it isn’t on DVD.
He appeared in this very funny 2006 YouTube in video as himself:
And while it didn’t air in the US, he appeared on the 2007 UK version of CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER, sharing the house with Jermaine Jackson among others. He came in third.
So, he has kept busy over the years. While his film work hasn’t quite gotten the exposure that his earlier work did, it is good to see he is still out there.
EDIT 5-18-10: In a 2010 interview, Dirk claimed that no one took him seriously after THE A-TEAM. Despite having fun making it, the show was thought of as "stupid" and none of the cast members really got much work after.
Instead, he concentrated on being a father full time, raising his kids in Montana.
Today, he is on stage in the UK.
Monday, August 11, 2008
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: DIRK BENEDICT
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10 comments:
Microbiotic diet. What exactly does that consist of?
And that's a pretty sweet video.
It is grains, vegetables and beans. Nothing processed. Gwyneth Paltrow is into it as well.
A friend of mine in L.A. had the opportunity a couple of years ago to chat with Benedict a few times concerning Bryan Singer's proposed GALACTICA sequel. Very nice man, Dirk is, with a great sense of humor.
Well It appears Hes still around One of his new films is releasing Titles Recon 7 Down you can find it on amazon.com or target.com heres the anazon link
http://www.amazon.com/Recon-7-Down-Dirk-Benedict/dp/B001F963BA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1220756069&sr=8-1
Dirk was painfully handsome and his name was Dirk, so he oughta be!
I'm glad he is well and thrilled to hear he's a nice guy. Galactica was also a big part of my life growing up.
When the new TV series Battlestar Gallactica series aired it started as ministeries as everyone knows. In the opening scene, the elderly officer sitting at the desk waiting for the Cylons looked very very familiar.... was the Dirk?? Sure looked like him!
BTW - Confessions of Kamakazee Cowboy is excellent reading!!!
Could it be that the spokesman on the new Ford F 150 commercials who winds up his spiel with the old George Peppard A Team line "I love it when a plan comes together" is really Dirk Benedict? My husband doesn't think he could look as rugged as that actor does, but watching your clip here, I say it is him. I'd love to be sure...
This is an answer to Anonymous. The F-150 spokesman is Mike Rowe host from Dirty Jobs on TV.
OMG, I loved Battlstar Gallactica and Dirk Benedict,was and still is so handsome once they redid the show and put a girl as Starbuck, never watched it again, I think that spoiled the whole thing, also when Loren Green passed away, that too made me so sad, , also loved the 'A' Team was another one I loved, didn't matter haow funny it was, no one never died. Enjoyed him in Alaska, going there my self, was also in Montana, although didn't know where he lived. Heard he is doing 'Columbo' when is that coming out.
Thank you,
Marcy
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