Why Did Hollywood Seem to Shun Dirk Benedict?
During the late ’70s and early ’80s, Dirk Benedict was one of my favorite actors on television. However, by the time the ’90s rolled around, he seemed to have completely disappeared. These days, all it takes is a quick visit to the internet to discover that Dirk has been able to consistently find work since his heyday, but those big, juicy roles like Starbuck and Templeton Peck are no longer being offered to him.
Before I share three reasons why I believe Dirk was shunned by Hollywood, it is worth stating that I know that he had roles both in TV and in movies prior to Battlestar Galactica, but for me, when that show hit the airwaves, I became an instant fan of his work.
On Battlestar Galactica, Dirk’s Starbuck character was a lovable rogue, a little bit like Han Solo, Brett Maverick, Eddie Haskell, and the Fonz all mashed up into one really cool character. While I didn’t love The A-Team as much as Battlestar Galactica, Dirk’s Templeton Peck character was another lovable rogue who was a key player in saving the day every week on the show.
Universal TV/ Courtesy: Everett Collection
So, what happened? Why would The A-Team be the last time that Dirk was offered an ongoing role in a weekly television series? It’s my belief that three things played into mainstream Hollywood essentially shunning this talented actor.
Reason number one is that, somewhere along the way, the lovable rogue became a less acceptable character to include in TV shows or movies. The lovable rogue often displayed charming but morally ambiguous behavior, sometimes skirting legal or ethical lines. In today’s more socially conscious climate, TV show and movie creators seem to be increasingly hesitant to include this type of character because of the messages they send. Behaviors that may have once been seen as charming might now be viewed as problematic and sexist.
Reason number two is that Dirk wasn’t your typical Hollywood celebrity when it came to his politics. Dirk was born and raised in a small town in Montana, and as such, his values and political beliefs are very different than many key influencers in the entertainment industry. In a 2010 interview with the British magazine, SciFiNow, Dirk discussed his conservative political views and mentioned that he had considered running for Montana state governor.
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Let’s move on to reason number three, which is a sad reality now more than ever: Hollywood prioritizes youth and beauty over maturity and wisdom. By 1990, Dirk would have been in his mid-forties and, in the minds of many show business executives, a bit too old to be considered for many of the prime roles out there. Evidence of that can be found by simply taking a look at the youthful actors who have been cast in some of the recent reboots of classic television shows from decades gone by.
With all that said, there’s no need to feel too badly for Dirk. He truly seems to be living a great life outside of the showbiz industry. He still occasionally is offered roles that suit his unique personality. However, even more importantly than film and TV appearances, he has found new ways to connect with his fans through various conventions that he frequently attends. Ultimately, Dirk’s enduring popularity speaks volumes about the impact he made during his memorable run in a couple of classic television’s most beloved shows.
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