Kevin Dobson


Kevin Patrick Dobson is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles as Detective Bobby Crocker, the trusted protege of Lt. Theo Kojak in the CBS crime drama Kojak, and as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the soap opera Knots Landing.
On April 1, 2008, Dobson premiered on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives in the role of Mickey Horton.

Early life

Dobson was born in Jackson Heights, New York, and is of Irish descent. He is one of seven children born to the janitor of a grammar school 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, then bartender, at Manhattan restaurant Brew's, owned by relatives.

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 . 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 asking if I'd sign a contract." Dobson auditioned for a third time and finally won. 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 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, in 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: M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the 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, ' in 1997, and again in the 2005 non-fiction special '.
Dobson has also appeared in a number of feature films, most notably the World War II movie Midway alongside Henry Fonda and Charlton Heston, as Ensign George Gay — a pilot and the sole survivor of Torpedo Squadron Eight from the Aircraft Carrier 's ill-fated opening attack against the Japanese fleet on June 4, 1942.
Another prominent role was as the husband of 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 TV roles, including the syndicated for one season, the drama series The Bold and the Beautiful, and as the fourth actor to play Mickey Horton on Days of Our Lives. 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, among other stage roles across the country.
He starred with Richard Thomas in the 2009 stage production of 12 Angry Men. Dobson has stated, concerning actors who are afraid of being typecast, "You should be so lucky."

Affiliations

Dobson, a former soldier, served twice as chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans. Having long assisted with the needs of hospitalized veterans, Dobson received the Silver Helmet Peace Award and the American Legion Award.

Personal life

He married his wife, Susan, in 1968; they have three children. His oldest son lives in Stockton, California where he operates a business.

Filmography

Films

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1968One Life to LiveGov. Harrison Brooks #1TV series
1969-1971The DoctorsVarious8 episodes
1971The Mod SquadHowieEpisode: "Feet of Clay"
1972The RookiesPilot
1972Emergency!First DeputyEpisode: "Decision"
1972IronsideYoung MarineEpisode: "Nightmare Trip"
1972CannonHotel Security GuardEpisode: "The Shadow Man"
1973-1978KojakDet. Bobby Crocker117 episodes
1973Police StoryPatrolmanEpisode: "Slow Boy"
1976StrandedRafe HarderTV movie
1977Captain KangarooMac HastyTV series
1978The ImmigrantsPete LomasTV movie
1978Greatest Heroes of the BibleJoabEpisode: "The Judgment of Solomon"
1979TransplantJohn HurleyTV movie
1979Orphan TrainCarlinTV movie
1980Hardhat and LegsSal PachecoTV movie
1980ReunionDon HollanderTV movie
1980Mark, I Love YouHal PainterTV movie
1981-1982ShannonDet. Jack Shannon9 episodes
1981Margin for MurderMike HammerTV movie
1982-1993Knots LandingM. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie291 episodes
Soap Opera Digest Award: Favorite Super Couple on a Prime Time Serial ;
Favorite Super Couple: Prime Time ; Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role: Prime Time; Outstanding Hero: Prime Time; Outstanding Actor: Prime Time
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
1982CBS Schoolbreak SpecialJim WelshEpisode: "Help Wanted"
1984Tales of the UnexpectedFred PearsonEpisode: "The Dirty Detail"
1984Sweet RevengeCol. Joseph CheeverTV movie
1989Money, Powder, MurderPeter FinleyTV movie
1990Kojak: It's Always SomethingAssistant District Attorney Bobby CrockerTV movie
1990Casey's Gift: For Love of a ChildHank BolenTV movie
1991Fatal FriendshipMichaelTV movie
1992Dirty WorkTomTV movie
1992A House of Secrets of LiesJack EvansTV movie
1993The Conviction of Kitty DoddsChuck HayesTV movie
1994Burke's LawSheriff GreeneEpisode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?"
1994Touched by an AngelCoach Earl RowleyEpisode: "Show Me the Way Home"
1994The CommishFrank BotrellEpisode: "Revenge"
1995If Someone Had KnownJack LinerTV movie
1996-1997'Det. Leo McCarthy22 episodes
1996Voice from the GraveDet. Joe SracculaTV movie
1997'Mack MacKenzieMiniseries
1997Early EditionDarrel FosterEpisode: "March in Time"
1998Nobody Lives ForeverLt. Jim RansomTV movie
2000Chicken Soup for the SoulEpisode: "The Two Sides of Love"
2000Nash BridgesRaymond PorterEpisode: "Double Trouble"
2001The Haunted HeartMr. HopkinsTV short
2001She's No AngelDonald ShawnessyTV movie
2005'HimselfTV special
2006-2007The Bold and the BeautifulJudge Devin Owens13 episodes
2007Christmas at Cadillac Jack'sCopTV movie
2008Days of Our LivesMickey Horton15 episodes
2008Cold CaseMickey Thompson '08Episode: "The Dealer"
2012'Malcolm TurnerEpisode: "Ms. Willows Regrets"
2012Hawaii Five-0Al ShepardEpisode: "Ha'alele"
2013House of LiesMr. Pinkus4 episodes
2013Damn Sea VampiresGlenn HunterTV movie
2014Anger ManagementDr. CameronEpisode: "Charlie and his Probation Officer's Daughter"
201712 to MidnightEpisode: "Nana's Pancakes"