Dwayne Hickman

Among the first teen idols spawned by the increasing influence of television on American culture during the 1950s, Dwayne Hickman followed older brother Darryl into show business and ended up eclipsing him. Hickman's initial film roles were unmemorable and it seemed like he would not gain enough traction to develop a motion picture career. However, upon being cast in the situation comedy "The Bob Cummings Show" (NBC/CBS, 1955-59), he quickly developed a fan following and displayed an increasing degree of comedic talent. When that program ended, Hickman moved into his own series, "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" (CBS, 1959-1963). As the title teenager who spent his days yearning for the love, popularity and privilege enjoyed by the rich students at his high school, Hickman's unforced charm and polished timing went over well with viewers, particularly teenage girls, resulting in a huge fan following. When the show ran its course, however, Hickman found it increasingly difficult to find worthwhile parts and enjoyed a second vocation as a CBS programming executive and sitcom director. In later life, he accepted occasional movie and television assignments, while concentrating on lucrative freelance work as a painter and paid speaker. Hickman remained beloved by the Baby Boomer generation decades after his television fame and displayed a remarkable ability to reinvent himself over the course of an over 60-year career.