Dwayne Hickman obit

Dwayne Hickman, Actor and Star of ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,’ Dies at 87

 

He was not on the list.

Dwayne Bernard Hickman, an actor, producer and television director best known for his starring role in the 1950s and ’60s sitcom “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” died of complications related to Parkinson’s disease on Sunday. He was 87 years old.

Hickman’s death was confirmed to Variety by the actor’s public relations head Harlan Boll.

Born on May 18, 1934 in Los Angeles, Calif., Hickman began screen acting at a young age with appearances in “The Boy With the Green Hair” and 1940’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” As a teenager, he starred as Chuck MacDonald in “The Bob Cummings Show,” acting alongside the titular comedian across the sitcom’s four-year run.

In 1959, Hickman earned the marquee role on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” The actor starred in all 148 episodes of the 20th Century Fox sitcom. As the first major television series to feature teenagers as its primary characters, “Dobie Gillis” solidified Hickman as one of the first and primary cultural emblems for the generation of Baby Boomers in the 1950’s and ’60s.

After attending Loyola University in the ’60s and earning a degree in economics, Hickman returned to entertainment to act in films such as “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” “Ski Party” and “Cat Ballou.” Beyond film, Hickman also acted in television series and performed on stage in touring productions.

In the 1970s, Hickman became a network executive at CBS Television. Over a decade-long tenure, he supervised productions such as “Maude,” “M*A*S*H” and “Designing Women.” Hickman also directed various episodes of different half-hour comedies. Near the end of this time, Hickman starred and produced in “Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis,” a 1988 reunion feature for his classic sitcom that aired on CBS.

Hickman also had a co-starring roles in “The Night at the Roxbury” and “Saving Gilligan’s Island” and a recurring role in UPN TV’s “Clueless.”

Beyond acting, Hickman was also a practicing artist, painting various house and landscape series in oils. He also co-authored his biography, “Forever Dobie: The Many Lives of Dwayne Hickman,” alongside his wife, Joan Roberts.

Hickman married three times. Once to actress Carol Christensen, then, briefly, to singer Joanne Papile. In 1983, he wed Joan Roberts, who he remained married to for the remainder of his life. Hickman is survived by his wife and sons Albert and John Hickman.

Hickman then played the titular lovesick title high school teen in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959), the role for which he is best known, and in which he was reunited with Tuesday Weld as the prime object of his attention, although Weld did not remain with the series for the entirety of its run. He starred in the series with this college friend Bob Denver. Laying low for a few years, Hickman returned to the screen, making a strong impression in the western film Cat Ballou (1965), and then began hanging out with the young beach crowd in several AIP movies including Ski Party (1965), How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), and Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965), and a few slapstick comedies such as Sergeant Dead Head (1965) and Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding! (1967). He guested on a mix of comedic and dramatic TV shows including Combat! (1962), Mod Squad (1968), Ellery Queen (1975), The Flying Nun (1967), and Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974).

In the 1970s, Hickman began working behind the scenes as a publicist, a Las Vegas entertainment director and, most successfully, as a programming executive for CBS. He would return only occasionally to acting. He revisited his Dobie Gillis character, albeit a fully grown-up version, in such made-for-television movies as Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis? (1977) and Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis (1988). In addition to guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote (1984) and Hi Honey, I'm Home (1991), he appeared in glorified cameos in High School U.S.A. (1983), had a recurring role on Clueless (1996), and was glimpsed in Cops n Roberts (1995), A Night at the Roxbury (1998), and Angels with Angles (2005). He began episodic directing chores in the 1980's, working on such episodes as "Charles in Charge", "Designing Women", "Head of the Class", "Harry and the Hendersons", and "Sister, Sister". In 1994, he published his biography, aptly titled 'Forever Dobie'.

Thrice wed, Hickman has two children -- one by his first wife, actress/model/beauty pageant winner Carol Christensen (1963-1972) who appeared a few times on "Dobie Gillis", and the other by his present wife, actress/voiceover artist Joan Roberts, to whom he has been married since 1983. He was the younger brother of actor Darryl Hickman, with whom he has appeared on screen. In retirement, he devoted his time to painting.

Actor (64 credits)

 2005 Angels with Angles

Hotel Receptionist

 2001 Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (TV Movie)

Network Executive #1

 1996-1999 Clueless (TV Series)

Tripp Mariens

- Parent Trap (1999) ... Tripp Mariens

- Back from Bakersfield (1998) ... Tripp Mariens

- Bakersfield Blues (1998) ... Tripp Mariens

- The Intruder (1997) ... Tripp Mariens (as Dwane Hickman)

- Romeo and Cher (1996) ... Tripp Mariens

 1998 A Night at the Roxbury

Fred Sanderson

 1995 Cops n Roberts

Brian Thursday

 1992 Hi Honey, I'm Home (TV Series)

Dobie Gillis

- The Many Loves of Mike Duff (1992) ... Dobie Gillis

 1990 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)

Brian Thursdan

- Murder -- According to Maggie (1990) ... Brian Thursdan

 1988 Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis (TV Movie)

Dobie Gillis

 1983 High School U.S.A. (TV Movie)

Mr. Plaza

 1977 Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis? (TV Movie)

Dobie Gillis

 1976 Ellery Queen (TV Series)

Linville Hagen

- The Adventure of the Wary Witness (1976) ... Linville Hagen

 1975 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV Series)

Sergeant Orkin

- The Youth Killer (1975) ... Sergeant Orkin

 1975 Karen (TV Series)

Don

- The Visitors (1975) ... Don

 1969-1973 Love, American Style (TV Series) (segment "Love and the Persistent Assistant") / Ira (segment "Love and the Topless Policy") / Ray (segment "Love and the Phone Booth")

- Love and the Clinical Problem/Love and the Eat's Cafe/Love and the Last Joke/Love and the Persistent Assistant/Love and the Unsteady Steady (1973) ... (segment "Love and the Persistent Assistant")

- Love and the Big Surprise/Love and the Security Building/Love and the Ski Lodge/Love and the Happy Unhappy Couple/Love and the Topless Policy (1972) ... Ira (segment "Love and the Topless Policy")

- Love and the Phone Booth/Love and the Doorknob (1969) ... Ray (segment "Love and the Phone Booth")

 1971 Don't Push, I'll Charge When I'm Ready (TV Movie)

Sgt. Ed Hutchins

 1969 Mod Squad (TV Series)

Russ Pardee

- The Healer (1969) ... Russ Pardee

 1969 The Magical World of Disney (TV Series)

Jack Crandall

- My Dog, the Thief: Part 2 (1969) ... Jack Crandall

- My Dog, the Thief: Part 1 (1969) ... Jack Crandall

 1969 My Friend Tony (TV Series)

- The Twenty Mile Jog (1969)

 1969 The Flying Nun (TV Series)

Randy Putnam

- The Boyfriend (1969) ... Randy Putnam

 1968 Missy's Men (TV Movie)

 1968 Insight (TV Series)

Lee

- Look Back to the Garden (1968) ... Lee

 1968 Ironside (TV Series)

Archie Bass

- Due Process of Law (1968) ... Archie Bass

 1964-1967 Vacation Playhouse (TV Series)

Lennie / Joe Hannon

- You're Only Young Twice (1967) ... Lennie

- Hey, Teacher (1964) ... Joe Hannon

 1967 We'll Take Manhattan (TV Movie)

Lucas Greystone

 1967 Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding!

Hank Judson

 1966 Combat! (TV Series)

Corey

- Run, Sheep, Run (1966) ... Corey

 1965 Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine

Todd Armstrong

 1965 Sergeant Dead Head

Dwayne

 1965 How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

Ricky

 1965 Ski Party

Craig Gamble

 1965 Cat Ballou

Jed

 1964 Wagon Train (TV Series)

Clay Shelby

- The Clay Shelby Story (1964) ... Clay Shelby

 1964 Valentine's Day (TV Series)

Brian Nichols

- Cherry Blossoms in New York (1964) ... Brian Nichols

 1964 The Greatest Show on Earth (TV Series)

Dr. Gregg Blakeley

- Rosetta (1964) ... Dr. Gregg Blakeley

 1959-1963 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (TV Series)

Dobie Gillis

- The Devil and Dobie Gillis (1963) ... Dobie Gillis

- The Call of the Like Wild (1963) ... Dobie Gillis

- Beauty Is Only Kin Deep (1963) ... Dobie Gillis

- There's a Broken Light for Every Heart on Broadway (1963) ... Dobie Gillis

- I Was a Spy for the F.O.B. (1963) ... Dobie Gillis

Show all 148 episodes

 1959 1001 Arabian Nights

Magoo's Nephew Aladdin (voice)

 1955-1959 The Bob Cummings Show (TV Series)

Chuck MacDonald / Chuck / Chuck Collins / ...

- Bob Clashes with Ken (1959) ... Chuck MacDonald

- The King vs. The Chorus Girl (1959) ... Chuck MacDonald

- Bob Gets Hypnotized (1959) ... Chuck MacDonald

- Bob and the Pediatrician (1959) ... Chuck MacDonald

- Bob Helps von Zell (1959) ... Chuck MacDonald

Show all 155 episodes

 1958 Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!

Grady Metcalf

 1957 Men of Annapolis (TV Series)

David Cochran

- Blue & Gray (1957) ... David Cochran

 1956 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (TV Series)

Chuck

- The Kappa Sigma Party (1956) ... Chuck

 1955 Waterfront (TV Series)

Davie Bender

- Captain for a Day (1955) ... Davie Bender

 1951-1955 The Lone Ranger (TV Series)

Johnny Barton / Young Don Lindon

- Sunstroke Mesa (1955) ... Johnny Barton

- Two Gold Lockets (1951) ... Young Don Lindon

 1955 The Stu Erwin Show (TV Series)

- One of the Boys (1955)

 1954 Lux Video Theatre (TV Series)

Charlie

- Captive City (1954)

- The Way I Feel (1954) ... Charlie

 1954 The Loretta Young Show (TV Series)

College Boy

- It's a Man's Game (1954) ... College Boy

 1954 Public Defender (TV Series)

Kenny Higgins

- The Arsonist (1954) ... Kenny Higgins

 1950 The Happy Years

Fred 'Happy' Mather (uncredited)

 1949 Rusty's Birthday

Nip Worden (uncredited)

 1949 Mighty Joe Young

Boy (uncredited)

 1949 Rusty Saves a Life

Nip Worden (uncredited)

 1949 The Sun Comes Up

Hank Winter (uncredited)

 1948 The Boy with Green Hair

Joey

 1948 Rusty Leads the Way

Nip Worden (uncredited)

 1948 My Dog Rusty

Nip Worden (uncredited)

 1947 Her Husband's Affairs

Boy (uncredited)

 1947 Heaven Only Knows

Heavenly Pageboy (uncredited)

 1947 The Son of Rusty

Nip Worden (uncredited)

 1947 For the Love of Rusty

Doc Levy Jr. (uncredited)

 1946 The Secret Heart

Chase as a Child

 1946 Faithful in My Fashion

Eddie - Boy Musician (uncredited)

 1946 The Return of Rusty

Bobby

 1946 The Hoodlum Saint

Johnny Ryan (uncredited)

 1945 Captain Eddie

Louis Rickenbacker

 1942 Melodies Old and New (Short) (unconfirmed)

Director (8 credits)

 1996 Sister, Sister (TV Series) (1 episode)

- The Audition (1996) ... (directed by)

 1992 Harry and the Hendersons (TV Series) (2 episodes)

- Sara Spills the Bigfoot Beans (1992)

- The Blue Parrot (1992)

 1991 Head of the Class (TV Series) (1 episode)

- The Strange Case of Randy McNally (1991)

 1990-1991 Get a Life (TV Series) (3 episodes)

- Chris vs. Donald (1991)

- Roots (1991)

- A Family Affair (1990)

 1989-1990 Designing Women (TV Series) (3 episodes)

- A Class Act (1990)

- Julia and Suzanne's Big Adventure (1989)

- Odell (1989)

 1989 Open House (TV Series) (2 episodes)

- Parade of Homes (1989)

- Fish Out of Water (1989)

 1989 Charles in Charge (TV Series) (1 episode)

- Still at Large (1989)

 1989 Duet (TV Series) (1 episode)

- Don't Quit Your Day Job (1989)

Hide Hide Producer (1 credit)

 1988 Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis (TV Movie) (producer)

Soundtrack (4 credits)

 1965 How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (performer: "If It's Gonna Happen" - uncredited)

 1965 Ski Party (performer: "Paintin' the Town")

 1959-1963 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (TV Series) (performer - 22 episodes)

- Vocal Boy Makes Good (1963) ... (performer: "Shortnin' Bread" - uncredited)

- Will the Real Santa Claus Please Come Down the Chimney? (1962) ... (performer: "Deck the Halls" - uncredited)

- Strictly for the Birds (1962) ... (performer: "Yankee Doodle" - uncredited)

- What's a Little Murder Between Friends (1962) ... (performer: "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" - uncredited)

- I Was a Boy Sorority Girl (1962) ... (performer: "Eta Theta Song" - uncredited)

Show all 22 episodes

 1960 The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)

- Dwayne Hickman (1960) ... (performer: "Take Me Along", "Kids" - uncredited)

Thanks (1 credit)

 1965 Sergeant Dead Head (producers' special thanks for his guest appearance)

 Self (24 credits)

 2015 Unstoppable (Documentary)

Self

 2005-2007 TV Land Confidential (TV Series documentary)

Self - Interviewee / Self

- Finales (2007) ... Self - Interviewee

- Writing, Rehearsing & Recording (2005) ... Self

 2005 Paul Henning & The Hillbillies (Video documentary)

Self

 1999 Television: The First Fifty Years (Video documentary)

Self - Interviewee

 1998 CBS: The First 50 Years (TV Movie documentary)

Self

 1994 Marilu (TV Series)

Self

- Episode dated 22 November 1994 (1994) ... Self

 1993 King B: A Life in the Movies

Self

 1988 Super Password (TV Series)

Self - Celebrity Contestant

- Episode #4.102 (1988) ... Self - Celebrity Contestant

- Episode #4.101 (1988) ... Self - Celebrity Contestant

- Episode #4.100 (1988) ... Self - Celebrity Contestant

- Episode #4.99 (1988) ... Self - Celebrity Contestant

- Episode #4.98 (1988) ... Self - Celebrity Contestant

 1985 Our Time (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #1.3 (1985) ... Self

 1975 Match Game (TV Series)

Self - Panelist

- Episode #3.22 (1975) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #3.21 (1975) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #3.20 (1975) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #3.19 (1975) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #3.18 (1975) ... Self - Panelist

 1963-1968 You Don't Say (TV Series)

Self

- Jaye P. Morgan and Dwayne Hickman (1968) ... Self

- Dwayne Hickman and Darryl Hickman (1966) ... Self

- Dwayne Hickman and Darryl Hickman (1966) ... Self

- Terry Moore and Dwayne Hickman (1965) ... Self

- Dwayne Hickman and Emmaline Henry (1965) ... Self

Show all 12 episodes

 1967 Dateline: Hollywood (TV Series)

Self - Actor / Self

- Episode dated 8 September 1967 (1967) ... Self - Actor

- Episode dated 7 September 1967 (1967) ... Self - Actor

- Episode dated 30 May 1967 (1967) ... Self

 1967 The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (TV Series)

Self - Panelist

- Episode #1.213 (1967) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #1.212 (1967) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #1.211 (1967) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #1.210 (1967) ... Self - Panelist

- Episode #1.209 (1967) ... Self - Panelist

 1965 Gypsy (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #2.29 (1965) ... Self

 1965 I'll Bet (TV Series)

Self

- Dwayne Hickman and wife Carol Christensen vs. Tippi Hedren and husband Noel Marshall (1965) ... Self

 1964 The Celebrity Game (TV Series)

Self

- Episode dated 6 September 1964 (1964) ... Self

 1963-1964 Stump the Stars (TV Series)

Self - Guest / Self - Guest Panelist

- Abby Dalton vs. Dwayne Hickman (1964) ... Self - Guest

- Dwayne Hickman vs. Eartha Kitt and Lizabeth Scott (1963) ... Self - Guest Panelist

 1963-1964 The Object Is (TV Series)

Self

- Hans Conried, Yvonne Craig, Dwayne Hickman - Day 4 (1964) ... Self

- Hans Conried, Yvonne Craig, Dwayne Hickman - Day 3 (1964) ... Self

- Hans Conried, Yvonne Craig, Dwayne Hickman - Day 2 (1963) ... Self

- Premiere (1963) ... Self

 1962 The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #5.129 (1962) ... Self

 1960 Here's Hollywood (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #1.28 (1960) ... Self

 1960 The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (TV Series)

Self - Actor / Singer

- Dwayne Hickman (1960) ... Self - Actor / Singer

 1960 About Faces (TV Series)

Self

- Episode dated 13 June 1960 (1960) ... Self

 1960 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (TV Series)

Self

- Episode #4.30 (1960) ... Self

 1959 The Juke Box Jury (TV Series)

Self

- Episode dated 10 April 1959 (1959) ... Self

Archive footage (2 credits)

 1983 Movie Star Commercials and Important Messages (Video documentary)

Self

 1966 Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs

Todd Armstrong (uncredited)