Kevin Patrick Dobson (born March 18, 1943) is an American film and television actor, who is primarily known for his roles on television. His most prominent roles were as Detective Bobby Crocker, the trusted partner of Lt. Theo Kojak (played by Telly Savalas) on the popular 1970s CBS crime drama Kojak, and as the second husband of Karen Fairgate MacKenzie (played by Michele Lee), M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie, on the 1980s soap opera Knots Landing - a role he played from 1982 until the series ended in 1993. On April 1, 2008, Dobson premiered on the daytime soap opera Days of our Lives in the role of Mickey Horton.
Jackson Heights, New York City, New York, United States
Height
5' 11" (1.8 m)
Profession
Actor, Director
Education
New York University
Spouse
Susan Dobson (m. 1968)
Children
Patrick Dobson, Sean Dobson, Mariah Dobson
Awards
TV Land Anniversary Award
Star Sign
Pisces
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Trademark
1
Thick, commanding voice.
2
Frequently plays cops
3
New York City accent
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Quote
1
[In describing his mentor Telly Savalas's new determination]: He wanted to stop smoking. A friend of mine on the set had a lollipop in his shirt pocket, so I flipped it to him. ... That started the lollipop cop.
2
[Of Telly Savalas]: Telly was as soft as they come, he was like lemon meringue pie, he was a terrific guy. Very good family man, always had family, his mother was around, his brother [of course] worked with him on the show, and there were always people around. You know, when you met Telly, you know, you walk away, you feel like your best friend. You just renew the relationship. He's very gracious, and he lived life to his fullest!
3
[on his on- and off-screen chemistry with Telly Savalas, who played Lt. Theo Kojak]: What an opportunity! I am so grateful to have worked with him. He was a hard-nosed movie star, but as sensitive as anyone could be. He was a family man - always - whether it was his mother, nieces, or brother visiting the set. We were always putting his family in the holding cell during a scene.
4
[When he found out if Telly Savalas was going to have a TV series of his own]: I heard that Telly Savalas was going to do a TV series --- he was a friend of mine. Called my agent. Get on it, right away; went on to it, the next day, and said, 'What happened?' Call or what? Look, Telly Savalas is doing this and I'm right for him, you know, and he did and he made the arrangements. At that time, I had nothing, and a friend of mine, he had a vest, suit, everything.
5
I've lost two friends to AIDS, so if I can lend my support in helping out then I will do that. I'm also involved with the Special Olympics, which covers a wide variety of diseases.
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[About doing something else after Kojak (1973)]: I've been fortunate in that when Kojak (1973) ended, the dream happened again. And now I've done nine Movies of the Week that I've had the lead in and the movies are another career. I'm proud of where I am today and proud of what the future will hold in my profession.
7
[When he made his directorial debut on Knots Landing (1979)]: It was everything I thought It would be and more. I was in total control. I felt like I wanted to do all the parts and yet you find out, you make a suggestion here and there and you see that come to fruition, you see that come alive. It's so rewarding. I had a great time with the younger people who are still finding a way, I really had a good time in making some adjustments and was tested as far as my creative input. on the technical side, I didn't walk in there pretending I knew the camera, you know.
8
[on encouraging other actors to follow their understudies]: Commitment to a goal is not a sometimes thing. I work at my craft every day as hard as I can. I can't say that I am in this business alone and I will succeed alone and will go into the future alone. It takes an absolute team. When you have a good team ... I credit my wife with that, the people around me like Joe Sutton, the right representation in agents, choosing the right material, being in the right place at the right time... and most of all, being patient. At first, I wanted all the leads and after realizing what the inside of the business is about and how I can build to get those leads, you have to have patience, so I credit dedication with tenacity as purpose will be rewarded. I firmly believe that it's a constant work effort, work ethic, belief in yourself and your abilities and not being afraid to take the next step forward.
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If you love your country, thank a Veteran.
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Fact
1
Of Irish descent.
2
Met Joan Van Ark on the set of Kojak (1973), in 1977, and became good friends ever since. They worked together on Knots Landing (1979).
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Had signed a contract with Universal Studios in 1972.
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Credits Telly Savalas as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
Revealed that he had a wonderful working relationship with Telly Savalas on Kojak (1973).
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Was very close to Telly Savalas. Dobson was also the best friend to all of his acting mentor's children.
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His acting mentor and former series' lead Telly Savalas, died on January 22, 1994, at age 72. (Telly celebrated his 72nd birthday on January 21, 1994, with friends and family, and passed away, the following day.).
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On stage in Toronto Ontario, playing Juror 10 in Twelve Angry Men. [January 2008]
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Was the first choice for the lead role of the title character in Magnum, P.I. (1980), but turned it down. The role was ultimately given to Tom Selleck.
Understudied Jon Voight in a stage production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1973.
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A one-time semi-pro baseball player, his two sons have shared his passion for the sport. Son Sean attended Santa Barbara City College where he played baseball; son Patrick graduated attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, where he was an All-American third baseman.
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In the U.S. Army, he served as an MP during the Vietnam era. He has twice been Chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans ("If you love your country, thank a Vet"). He has also hosted two Veterans Inaugural Balls, one for both Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. Widely respected by Veterans organizations for his service to help hospitalized veterans, he has received the Silver Helmet Award and the American Legion Award.
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The first winner of the ABC Superstars athletic competition, he and his wife, Susan Dobson, raise funds through the Kevin Dobson Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Institute, of which Susan has been a member of the Board of Directors.
Best known by the public for his roles as Det. Bobby Crocker in Kojak (1973) and as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in Knots Landing (1979).
20
Received a phone call from the producers of Knots Landing (1979) about playing the role of a district attorney. At first, he was very unhappy about it, but then he liked it, and stood with his character for more than a decade.
$14 Million
