Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck
Face was the A-Team's conman, often managing to cheat people out of everything they owned and still leave them smiling. Whatever was needed, be it a lawnmower engine (in the jungle) or an
American Air Force Jet (in Peru) he could obtain it. And if the hapless victim was female it was all the easier for Face (nicknamed on account of his clean-cut good looks). However, Face was never one for the inevitable fighting that
being an A-Team member entailed, and he was forever complaining about getting hit too often.
Face was effectively second in command to Hannibal in the A-Team (Murdock technically had a higher rank, but he was certified insane!), but he devoted much more time to the women and seemed to get one
during every mission - simply by smiling at them.
About Dirk Benedict
Although Tim Dunigan played the part of face in the original pilot, "Mexican Slayride", Dirk Benedict will be forever remembered as pretty-boy con merchant Face. Dirks birth name was
Dirk Niewoehner but he changed it on the suggestion of his agent (inspired by a plate of eggs). Some basic information about Dirk is given below:
Born : 1st March 1945.
Place of Birth : Helena, Montana, USA.
Spouses : Toni Hudson (1986-1995).
Children : George and Roland (both by Toni Hudson).
Probably most famous for his roles as Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica and Face in The A-Team, Dirk has had numerous other acting roles:
-Waking Up Horton (1998) - ?
-Steel Stomachs (1997)(V) - Host
-Zork: Grand Inquisitor (1997)(VG) - Antharia Jack
-Abduction of Innocence (1996) - Robert Steves
-Alaska (1996) - Jake Barnes
-Demon Keeper (1994) - Alexander Harris
-The Feminine Touch (1986) - John Mackie
-Official Denial (1994)(V) - Lt. Col. Dan Lerner
-Shadow Force (1993) - Rick Kelly
-Blue Tornado (1991) - Alex Long
-Bejewelled (1991)(TV) - Gordon
-Trenchcoat in Paradise (1989)(TV) - Eddie Mazda
-Body Slam (1987) - M. Harry Smilac
-Mark of the Devil (1984)(TV) - Frank Rowlett
-The A-Team (1983-1987) TV Series - Lieutenant Templeton "Face" Peck
-Scruples (1981)(TV) - Spider Elliott
-Underground Aces (1980) - Pete Huffman
-The Georgia Peaches (1980)(TV) - Dusty Tyree
-Scavenger Hunt (1979) - Jef Stevens, Mr Parker's Nephew
-Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack (1978)(TV) - Lt. Starbuck
-Battlestar Galactica (1978) TV Series - Lt. Starbuck
-Battlestar Galactica (1978)(TV) - Lt. Starbuck
-Cruise Into Terror (1978)(TV) - Simon
-Journey From Darkness (1975)(TV) - Bill
-W (1974) - William Caulder
-Chopper One (1974) TV Series - Officer Gil Foley
-SSSSSSS (1973) - David Blake
-Georgia, Georgia (1972) - Michael Winters
The following is an excellent mini-biography from the site of Dirk Benedict's autobiographical book, "The Kamikaze Cowboy":
Dirk Benedict, who for five years
was known to millions of viewers as 'The Face' on the popular NBC Series THE
A-TEAM, is perhaps on of the most refreshing and down-to-earth actors today. A
native of Montana, Dirk was raised in White Sulphur Springs, a small town so far
removed from Hollywood that there were no movie theatres of television
throughout his childhood, 'Entertainment' for him was walking the mountains in
the great outdoors of 'Big Sky Country.' And outstanding athlete who lettered in
three sports during High School, he was elected to the All-State Football Team
in his Senior year. He also had his own Dixieland Dance band in which he played
the trombone. At this point in his life, he couldn't decide whether he wanted to
become another Paul Hornung or Tommy Dorsey.
He attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington on a Football Scholarship. During his freshman year
destiny stepped in when his football playing buddies dared him to audition for
the Spring Musical "Showboat." It resulted, much to his dismay, in playing the
lead, "Gaylord Ravenal." The next three years found him playing countless
leading roles in the university's Theatre Department. Upon graduation, with a
degree in Music, Dirk decided to pursue acting. He began a two-year training
program at Meadowbrook Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, under the tutelage of John
Fernald, who had been the Principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
in London for fifteen years. After fulfilling the rigorous demands of Fernald's
acting program, Dirk was offered a job in Fernald's Professional Repertory Co.
This was followed with a season at Seattle Repertory Theatre in Washington and
later he spent a season with the Repertory Theatre in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
During this period Shaw, Ibsen and Shakespeare were his meal ticket. In between
seasons, Dirk did summer stock around the country playing such roles as 'Ensign
Pulver' in "Mr. Roberts" and the leads in "Star Spangled Girl," "Barefoot in the
Park," and numerous other plays and musicals.
Shortly after moving to New York, Dirk landed a role in " Abelard and Heloise" starring Keith Michel and
Diana Rigg, which played both on Broadway and in Los Angeles. Two weeks after
the show closed on Broadway, Dirk was on his way to Sweden to star in his first
film, "Georgia, Georgia" with the late Diana Sands. Filmed entirely in Sweden,
the film was written by best-selling author, Maya Angelou.
Upon his return to America, Dirk was cast in the lead in "Butterflies Are Free" on Broadway. The
late Gloria Swanson, whose career spanned the entire history of film, played his
mother. Their mother/son relationship transcended the stage and Ms. Swanson
shared with Dirk all her well kept dietary secrets for health and longevity.
Are Free" closed on Broadway., Dirk received an offer to do the play in
Hawaii with Barbara Rush. While there, he also appeared as a guest lead in an
episode of "Hawaii Five-O." This marked his first appearance on television.
Before he had time to return to New York, Hollywood Producers Richard Zanuck
and David Brown saw his performance in "Hawaii Five-O" and cast Dirk as the lead
in their new psycho-thriller, "SSSSS," in which he was transformed into a King
Cobra. This was followed with a starring role opposite Twiggy in her first
American film, "W." Shortly thereafter, Dirk was offered the lead in Aaron
Spellings television series, "Chopper One" for ABC. following it's cancellation
after one season, he left his acting career for nearly three years. During which
time he spent many months in the Mountains of Montana and fulfilling another
dream, which was to 'see' every state in the United States.
Dirk returned to
acting after these years of far-flung gallivanting with a tour of the East Coast
in "Li'l Abner" with Lucy Arnaz. In 1978, producer Glen Larsen offered Dirk the
starring role of 'Starbuck' in his highly promoted space-adventure television
series, "Battlestar Galactica" on ABC. It propelled him into the National
spotlight. After "Battlestar Galactica," Dirk returned to his first love, the
theater, where he broke box office records playing 'Curley' in "Oklahoma" and
'Starbuck' in "The Rainmaker" on the John Kenley Theater circuit. His latest
stage appearance was as "Hamlet," off Broadway, in New York.
Despite his
active career in television and on the stage, Dirk has starred in numerous
Theatrical Motion Pictures, including Alaska, SSSSS, Ruckus, Under Ground, Aces,
Body Slam, Blue Tornadoes, Scavenger Hunt, Feminine Touch.
Dirk is also a professional writer. His autobiography, CONFESSIONS OF A KAMIKAZE COWBOY was
published by Avery Publishing Group in 1991. In it, he details his wild,
quixotic journey from the hayfields of Montana to the sound stages of Hollywood.
It also covers his bout with Cancer of the Prostate, which he had in 1975, and
how he conquered it through diet. His latest book, AND THEN WE WENT FISHING
(Avery), is the true story of becoming and losing a Father. He is currently at
work finishing MONTANA MEMOIRS: Notes from a dangerous wordsmith, a collection
of short stories covering his years growing up in Montana.
He has written two original stage plays, PUPPY DOG TALES and ACTING BECOMES HER, and several
screenplays. including adaptations of both his books. He will soon make his
directorial debut directing his own original screenplay, CAHOOTS.
Links
For more information on Dirk Benedict head over to Dirk Benedict Central - a good site.
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