Kevin Dobson

Kevin Patrick Dobson (March 18, 1943 – September 6, 2020) was an American film and television actor, best known for his roles as Detective Bobby Crocker, the trusted protege of Lt. Theo Kojak (played by Telly Savalas) in the CBS crime drama Kojak (1973–1978), and as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the prime time soap opera Knots Landing (1982–1993).

On April 1, 2008, Dobson made his first appearance in the NBC Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives in the role of Mickey Horton.

Early life Dobson was born in Jackson Heights, New York, and was of Irish descent. He was one of seven children born to the janitor of a grammar school (Our Lady of Fatima, Jackson Heights) 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.

Career After a brief appearance in the 1971 film Klute, and small roles in television series such as The Mod Squad, Emergency!, 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 [again]. 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 [the next night] asking if I'd sign a contract." Dobson auditioned for a third time and finally won the role. He remained with Kojak for its entire five-season run from 1973 to 1978, and later reunited with Savalas for the 1990 television movie, Kojak: It's Always Something, his character having become an assistant district attorney. They remained friends until Savalas's death from bladder cancer in 1994.

In 1976, Dobson was on Battle of the Network Stars with Savalas (Captain), Adrienne Barbeau, Gary Burghoff, Pat Harrington, Bill Macy, Lee Meriwether, Mackenzie Phillips, Loretta Swit, and Jimmie Walker. In 1978, Dobson played Pete Lomas in the two-part television 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, is on the CBS series Shannon. However, the show failed to gain substantial ratings and was cancelled after nine episodes. A more successful television role for Dobson followed in 1982 as M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie in the prime-time 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, Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac in 1997, and again in the 2005 non-fiction special Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again.

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, and appeared in many other stage roles across the United States.

He starred with Richard Thomas in the 2009 stage production of 12 Angry Men. Dobson stated, concerning actors who are afraid of being typecast, "You should be so lucky."

Affiliations Dobson, a former Army soldier (MP), served twice as chairman of the National Salute To Hospitalized Veterans. Having long assisted with the needs of hospitalized veterans, Dobson received the AMVETS (American Veterans) Silver Helmet Peace Award and the American Legion Award. Dobson, was a life member of AMVETS and also a charter member of AMVETS MOH Richard A. Pittman Post #1947 - Stockton, California.

Personal life Dobson married his wife, Susan, in 1968. They had three children: Mariah, Patrick and Sean. UVCSJC reported his death the following day. He was 77.

Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 1971 Klute Man at Bar Uncredited 1976 Midway Ensign George H. Gay Jr. 1981 All Night Long Bobby Gibbons 1999 Restraining Order Police Captain 1999 Nathan Grimm Nathan Grimm Short 2002 She's No Angel Donald Shawnessy 2005 Crash Landing Henderson Davis Direct-to-DVD 2007 1408 Priest 2007 April Moon Jeffrey 2009 Portal Benedict Direct-to-video 2011 The Representative Hon. Justice Evans 2013 Dark Power Mayor Stan Wood 2014 Full Circle Henry Short

Television Year Title Role Notes 1969–1971 The Doctors various roles, 8 episodes Policeman on May 19 and 20 1969 1971 The Mod Squad Howie Episode: "Feet of Clay" 1972 The Rookies Pilot, Uncredited 1972 Emergency! First Deputy Episode: "Decision" 1972 Ironside Young Marine Episode: "Nightmare Trip" 1972 Cannon Hotel Security Guard Episode: "The Shadow Man" 1973–1978 Kojak Det. Bobby Crocker 117 episodes 1973 Police Story Patrolman Episode: "Slow Boy" 1976 Stranded Rafe Harder Television movie 1977 Captain Kangaroo Mac Hasty Television series 1978 The Immigrants Pete Lomas Television movie 1978 Greatest Heroes of the Bible Joab Episode: "The Judgment of Solomon" 1979 Transplant John Hurley Television movie 1979 Orphan Train Carlin Television movie 1980 Hardhat and Legs Sal Pacheco Television movie 1980 Reunion Don Hollander Television movie 1980 Mark, I Love You Hal Painter Television movie 1981–1982 Shannon Det. Jack Shannon 9 episodes 1981 Margin for Murder Mike Hammer Television movie 1982–1993 Knots Landing M. Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie 291 episodesSoap Opera Digest Award: Favorite Super Couple on a Prime Time Serial (with Michele Lee) (1986);Favorite Super Couple: Prime Time (with Michele Lee); Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role: Prime Time; Outstanding Hero: Prime Time; Outstanding Actor: Prime Time (1988, 1991-1992)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 (1986) 1982 CBS Schoolbreak Special Jim Welsh Episode: "Help Wanted" 1984 Tales of the Unexpected Fred Pearson Episode:' "The Dirty Detail" Also starring George Peppard 1984 Sweet Revenge Col. Joseph Cheever Television movie 1989 Money, Powder, Murder Peter Finley Television movie 1990 Kojak: It's Always Something Assistant District Attorney Bobby Crocker Television movie 1990 Casey's Gift: For Love of a Child Hank Bolen Television movie 1991 Fatal Friendship Michael Television movie 1992 Dirty Work Tom Television movie 1992 A House of Secrets of Lies Jack Evans Television movie 1993 The Conviction of Kitty Dodds Chuck Hayes Television movie 1994 Burke's Law Sheriff Greene Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?" 1994 Touched by an Angel Coach Earl Rowley Episode: "Show Me the Way Home" 1994 The Commish Frank Botrell Episode: "Revenge" 1995 If Someone Had Known Jack Liner Television movie 1996–1997 F/X: The Series Det. Leo McCarthy 22 episodes 1996 Voice from the Grave Det. Joe Sraccula Television movie 1997 Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac Mack MacKenzie Miniseries 1997 Early Edition Darrel Foster Episode: "March in Time" 1998 Nobody Lives Forever Lt. Jim Ransom Television movie 2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Episode: "The Two Sides of Love" 2000 Nash Bridges Raymond Porter Episode: "Double Trouble" 2001 The Haunted Heart Mr. Hopkins Television short 2001 She's No Angel Donald Shawnessy Television movie 2003-2005 One Life to Live Gov. Harrison Brooks Television series 2005 Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again Himself Television special 2006–2007 The Bold and the Beautiful Judge Devin Owens 13 episodes 2007 Christmas at Cadillac Jack's Cop Television movie 2008 Days of Our Lives Mickey Horton 15 episodes 2008 Cold Case Mickey Thompson '08 Episode: "The Dealer" 2012 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Malcolm Turner Episode: "Ms. Willows Regrets" 2012 Hawaii Five-0 Al Shepard Episode: "Ha'alele" 2013 House of Lies Mr. Pinkus 4 episodes 2013 Damn Sea Vampires Glenn Hunter Television movie 2014 Anger Management Dr. Cameron Episode: "Charlie and his Probation Officer's Daughter" 2017 12 to Midnight Episode: "Nana's Pancakes"