My first headshot....but it all really began when I was one year old.

Once upon a time...
there was a young actor who came to New York City. After completing two university degrees, a marriage and a divorce, he was in no condition to ever look this young and thin again!

But as Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

And such is the business of show business!

 
Bicentennial National Tour of 1776; John Dickinson, center                           John Dickinson in a 1776 at Casa Manana


      
King Pelinore and his dog, Horrid in CAMELOT                              Opera manager, Carriere and The Phantom         

New York was very kind to this lucky, young actor. MACBETH, Off-Broadway was first, three shows at the Champlain Shakespeare Festival were followed by a National Tour of 1776. Many more shows, over the years, led up to a five year World Tour of the brilliant Richard Harris' CAMELOT. As you see from the above photo, my first collie, Sean, became as big a ham in that production, as myself. Even when being accidentally stabbed by a sword in one show, he never let on before leaving the stage, on cue. During a hiatus, Sean made his Shakespearean debut in a Virginia Museum Theatre production of MACBETH. Here he had to ride a moving platform down a long, raked stage. What a pro!  Then back to four more years of CAMELOT.                                 


 
Sempronius in TIMON OF ATHENS , luckily, got to roll around on a chaise,  Don Pedro in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and Doc Gibbs in OUR TOWN (below, with a bad moustache); all three at the Champlain Shakespeare Festival

  

 But lets get back to historical progression....

                         
  
       
It all started after two degrees from Baylor University----and, of course, that pesky divorce.The American Conservatory Theatre, in San Francisco, was where I earned my Equity Card. YOUR OWN THING was my 2nd show; yes, the young man on the right later changed his name. My first Equity production was when I jumped into their HAMLET, replacing someone who had broken his leg. I only had a 30 minute rehearsal  (on the roof) for 3 small roles, but at that age, I felt like a star.  

Across the country in New York City, years later, began a tour of CAMELOT with movie star Rock Hudson. I was Sir Dinadan; and also based in NY, my agent of 18 years helped  "spread the word". Beverly Anderson was a star in her own field.

 
CAMELOT with Rock Hudson; Look to his right...Me, in horizontal stripes.   Sir Dinadan with Sherry Mathis, as Guenevere 


My agent, Beverly Anderson, in front of her "Working Wall". (I'm above her head on the right) I'd guess this "might" be at Christmas. What do you think? 


And an older, more dramatic  moment.
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