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R.I.P. Dean Stockwell, star of 'Quantum Leap' who began his career as a child star
He appeared in everything from Wagon Train and The Twilight Zone to David Lynch’s Dune.
Though he'll always be remembered as Admiral Al Calavicci in the Scott Bakula sci-fi series Quantum Leap, Dean Stockwell accrued hundreds of credits in eight different decades from the 1940s to the 2010s.
His career had quite the arc, from cute child star to James Dean–esque TV guest star to hippie to charismatic character actor.
The New York Times said it best in 1988, after creepy appearances in David Lynch films Blue Velvet and Dune as well as memorable parts in Married to the Mob and Tucker: The Man and His Dream, "The cherub seen scampering with toe-tapping Gene Kelly in Anchors Aweigh had turned into a dark, intense, charismatic leading man."
Born to actor parents in Los Angeles in 1936, Robert Dean Stockwell and his brother, Guy, were introduced to show business at a young age. When Guy was ten and Dean just seven, they appeared on Broadway in the pirate comedy The Innocent Voyage.
Two years later Dean made his film debut as Paulie in the Greer Garson-Gregory Peck drama The Valley of Decision. Then came Anchors Aweigh, The Boy with Green Hair, The Secret Garden and many others.
Stockwell returned to Broadway in 1957 for Compulsion, adapted from the novel (which was inspired by a real trial) about two wealthy college students who believe they can get away with murder. He then starred with Bradford Dillman and Orson Welles in the 1959 film version.
Stockwell's memorable TV gigs include four appearances in Wagon Train, the classic Twilight Zone episode "A Quality of Mercy," a six-episode storyline in Dr. Kildare as Dr. Rudy Devereux and the Bonanza episode "The Medal."
In 1968, Stockwell starred with Susan Strasburg, Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern in the San Francisco hippie movie Psych-Out.
During a career slowdown in the Seventies, Stockwell earned his real estate license but also appeared in Mannix, Mission: Impossible, Night Gallery, Columbo, and Cannon.
Stockwell's career rebounded after appearing with his friend Harry Dean Stanton in the 1984 film Paris, Texas. From there, he won a string of big-screen supporting roles in Dune, To Live and Die in L.A., Blue Velvet, Beverly Hills Cop II and more.
Stockwell won his most famous role four decades into his career when he became Admiral Al Calavicci in Quantum Leap in 1989. The charismatic, cigar-smoking Al guides Dr. Sam Becket (Scott Bakula) as he travels through time, helping people along the way.
Stockwell had a recurring role in the 2006 reboot of Battlestar Galactica before retiring from acting in 2015. He passed away this week at the age of 85.
99 Comments
I first took notice of Stockwell's acting years ago after watching him play a closeted gay killer in COMPULSION. An excellent retelling of Chicago's Leopold/ Loeb murder case. This film also featured the HIGHLY UNDERRATED MARTIN MILNER - a MeTv alum.
I also enjoyed Stockwell's performance as the sinister lawyer in TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. An excellent WILLIAM FRIEDKIN film.
The Secret Garden, The Boy with Green Hair to name but two as a child actor. And I'm sure my mother watched those on the big screen when they came out.
Thanks to those here and those who have moved on.
Thanks
M*A*S*H
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And in one episode he was put on trial for "war crimes" at The Hague.
"Harm" and "Mac" defended him, but he was found guilty anyway.
Fortunately, the sentence was $20,000,000 as reparations (after which he said that the US would have paid that anyway - shared some wine with the prosecuter (after speaking to him in French)).
RIP Dean Stockwell
Donald J. Bellesario was such a great producer. He just understood a Viewer's appetite for entertainment!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_P._Bellisario
Just like the iPad in ST:TOS was a framed Etch-a-Sketch.
Where is it?
The List of Comet TV Affiliates:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Comet_affiliates
One problem though that Moody pointed out. Commet TV has the rights to QL for now, and made it a 3 hour block nightly.
I'm not into very much current stuff. I'd say the youngest person I like is about to turn 40 this year so she's truly the baby of the bunch that's still around. Seems like the group gets smaller with each passing year. :/
We're really the first generation to experience this circumstance going on with classic TV. Meaning that we've grown up with these shows, continued enjoying them for as long as classic TV as a retro channel has been on the air (going back to 2010), and now we're having to say good bye. Which (IMO) needs to be turned around into expressing our appreciation (even tribute) to those actors, stories, inspiration and imagination sparked our lives.
When we look into a scrapbook and picture album, we do so for the warm memories those images return. Not to intentionally make ourselves sad. And I don't think entertainers would want that being the result of their performances.
Instead our favorites are a form of unique classic "art" that lives the test of time that we can revisit whenever. It's there to address our mood, make us happy or give comfort (whatever the premise).
From the time of their actual appearances anyway, they've been long gone, going forward into new opportunities and challenges. We can only be sad on behalf of their families who've lost loved ones.
Just a thought ....
He was a *amn fine actor. No other way to say it.
