David Dukes Explained

David Coleman Dukes (June 6, 1945 – October 9, 2000) was an American character actor.^[1] He had a long career in films, appearing in 35. Dukes starred in the miniseries The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, and he was a frequent television guest star. Later in life, Dukes had recurring roles on shows such as Pauly, Sisters, and Dawson's Creek.^[1]

Early life

Dukes was born in San Francisco, California, the son of a California Highway Patrol officer.^[2] Dukes was the eldest of four boys; his brothers were James, Robert, and Joe Paul.

Career

Dukes' film career included 35 movies. Throughout his career, he was a television guest star, notably as the man who attempted to rape Edith Bunker on All in the Family, an advertising executive on The Jeffersons, and a blind bully on Three's Company. During the 1980s, Dukes appeared in the dual miniseries The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. In 1992, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his turn as Jo Bouillon in the HBO production The Josephine Baker Story (1991). He also appeared as Arthur Miller in the HBO film Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996). He was a series regular on the first season of the NBC network drama Sisters, playing the husband of eldest Reed sister, Alex (Swoosie Kurtz). Dukes' role became a recurring character in subsequent seasons. On Dawson's Creek, he had the recurring role of Mr. McPhee, father of Jack (Kerr Smith) and Andie (Meredith Monroe) from the second through fourth seasons. He also starred in Without a Trace as the ex-husband of Kate Nelligan.

Theater

Dukes had considerable stage experience, first appearing on Broadway in 1971. He later appeared in a revival of Molière's The School for Wives. Dukes' theatrical roles included as Dracula, Doctor Frankenstein, and Antonio Salieri in the original production of Amadeus, replacing Ian McKellen. He also replaced John Lithgow in the original production of David Henry Hwang's play M. Butterfly, and he received a Tony nomination in 1980 for best featured actor in a play for Bent.^[3] In 1998, he was one of the three characters in a London West End production of 'Art' with Stacy Keach and George Wendt.

Audio

David Dukes recorded several audiobooks, including Philip Roth's unabridged Sabbath’s Theater and Isaac Asimov's unabridged Prelude to Foundation.

Personal life and death

Dukes was married to Carol Muske-Dukes.

He died of a heart attack on October 9, 2000, in Spanaway, Washington, while on location shooting the Stephen King miniseries Rose Red.^[3] Dukes is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.^[4]

The season four episode "You Had Me at Goodbye" of Dawson's Creek, which aired on November 15, 2000, and in which Dukes appeared, is dedicated to his memory.

Filmography

Film

Television

Further reading

• "David Dukes." Variety. October 11, 2000.
• Susan King and Don Shirley. "David Dukes; Versatile Character Actor on Screen, Stage." Los Angeles Times. October 11, 2000.
• Tom Vallance. "David Dukes." The Independent (London). October 17, 2000.

External links

• • • • Remembering David Dukes
  • Problems with the county medical examiner, from his wife's official website
• David Dukes papers, 1946-2004, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Notes and References

1. Web site: The New York Times. David Dukes, Chameleon of An Actor, 55. Emily. Eakin. October 12, 2000.
2. Web site: David Dukes Biography (1945-2000). Film Reference.
3. Web site: Broadway Actor David Dukes Is Dead at 55 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150204044614/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/broadway-actor-david-dukes-is-dead-at-55-92412 . 2015-02-04 . 2016-02-21 . Playbill.
4. Book: Ellenberger, Allan R.. 2001. Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland & Company. 47.