Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell (born
March 5,
1936 in
North Hollywood, California) is an
American actor who is best-known for his role as
Rear Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci in the American TV series
Quantum Leap.
Born
Robert Dean Stockwell, he began his acting career at age seven. One of his notable child roles was as the 11-year-old son of
Gregory Peck in
Gentleman's Agreement (1947). He also starred in the lead role of the film
The Boy With Green Hair in 1948, and in a film adaptation of
The Secret Garden in 1949. Unlike many child actors, he continued to act past his teenage years.
In 1959, Stockwell appeared in the film
Compulsion, based on the famous case of
Leopold and Loeb (with characters names changed to "Steiner and Strauss"), playing Judd Steiner.
Compulsion also starred
Orson Welles as the
Clarence Darrow-based lawyer Jonathan Wilk.
In 1962, Stockwell appeared in an adaptation of
Eugene O'Neill's play
Long Day's Journey Into Night along with
Katharine Hepburn,
Ralph Richardson and
Jason Robards.
In 1984 he appeared in
Wim Wenders' critically acclaimed film
Paris, Texas, and in that same year, in
David Lynch's film version of
Dune as the traitor Dr. Yueh. In 1986, Stockwell appeared in another David Lynch film,
Blue Velvet. In 1988 he was nominated for an
Academy Award for
Best Supporting Actor for his performance as
Mafia boss Tony "the Tiger" Russo in the comedy
Married to the Mob.
Stockwell's performance as Tony inspired producer
Donald Bellisario to cast him in what would arguably become his best-known role, as
Rear Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci in the American TV series
Quantum Leap, which aired between 1989 and 1993. He also appeared as a guest star on an episode
Star Trek: Enterprise with former co-star of Quantum Leap,
Scott Bakula. He was cast as a mystery writer in
Stephen King's Langoliers. Bellisario also cast Stockwell as
Senator Edward Sheffield in
First Monday and
JAG in 2002; his role would continue as
Secretary of the Navy Edward Sheffield from late 2002 until
cancellation in 2005. Most recently, he guest starred as
Brother Cavil in the re-imagined series
Battlestar Galactica (said to be a reoccurring role for season 3 in the
BSG Podcast for episode 220).
In 1960 he married actress
Millie Perkins but they divorced two years later.
Stockwell is an accomplished artist. He creates both digitally enhanced photographs and original collages in the style of his friend and fellow artist,
Wallace Berman. He is also a friend of musician
Neil Young and designed the album cover art for
American Stars'n'Bars. Together they would direct
Human Highway, which Stockwell wrote.
Stockwell is an avid
golfer and would play golf during breaks in filming episodes of
Quantum Leap.
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