Dwayne Hickman, whose turn as eternal romantic Dobie Gillis made him a teen idol in the 1960s, has died this morning at age 87 in his Los Angeles home of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Hickman is an actor, director, producer, and artist who starred in the hit TV show. Bob Cummings Show Dobie Gillis: The Many Loves He died on the anniversary of his dearest friend. “Dobie …”Bob Denver, a cast member, starred again opposite him in the CBS movie of the Week. Surviving Gilligan’s Island, As a CBS network executive.
Born Dwayne Bernard Hickman on May 18, 1934 in Los Angeles, Hickma’s earliest screen appearances included began at age six, making his film debut, as an extra in Grapes of Wrath.
As a teenager, he was a star in his first television series with Bob Cummings. He learned comedy under the guidance of Jack Benny as well as George Burns. Five years later, he would be the star of his own television series. Dobie Gillis’s Many Loves”
In the years to come Dobie GillisHickman was a graduate of Loyola University where he received a B.S. After completing his studies in Economics, Hickman resumed his film career with several teen films for A.I.P. These films have been cult classics and include How to stuff a wild bikiniAnnette Funicello and Ski Partywith Frankie Avalon.
He also starred on the Academy Award-winning western comedy classic. Cat BallouJane Fonda and Lee Marvin. Hickman was also an occasional guest on episodic television. However, Hickman was also on stage and toured the country performing in productions. Star Spangled Girl, barefoot in the Park And6 Rms Riv Viu
In the 1970’s, after a brief stint as entertainment director at Howard Hughes’ Landmark Hotel in Las Vegas, Hickman decided to return to television. He joined CBS Television’s corporate ranks to become a network executive.
His 10 year tenure was spent supervising such hits as Maude, M*A*S*H And Designing Women.Hickman left the CBS network to star in and produce the CBS Movie of the Week. Bring me the Head of Dobie Gillis. He also directed half-hour comedies. He met Joan Roberts, an actress/writer, during this period. She was costarring on the CBS T.V. series, Pvt. Benjamin. They were married on April 16, 1983.
Joan and he co-authored his autobiography together. Forever Dobie: The Many Lives Of Dwayne Hartman(Birch Lane Press), and also develops TV scripts. Dwayne Hickman stepped in front of the cameras again, costarring in Paramount’s feature film, The Night at the RoxburyHe was a regular on UPN for two seasons. T.V’s series, Clueless.
Hickman was also a critically-acclaimed artist (DwayneHickman.com), who painted in oils. Hickman’s use of vibrant colors and exquisite detail in his popular house and landscape series has become his trademark. The original oil paintings and limited-edition prints of Hickman’s work are available in galleries throughout the United States.
Hickman was three times married to Carol Christensen (actress), Joanne Papile (singer) and Joan Roberts (wife of 38 years).
Roberts is his survivor, as well as their sons Albert Hickman (and John Hickman) and Carol Christensen Sneed (and John Hickman).
The services will be private, and no memorial plans have been made. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Actors Fund (actorsfund.org) or DreamClub United (dreamclubunited.org), founded by Dwayne’s son, Albert Hickman, a 501(c) 3 that supports local humanitarian programs, including Parkinson’s organizations.