Dylan McDermott

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Dylan McDermott
Born Mark Anthony McDermott
October 26, 1961 (1961-10-26) (age 46)
Waterbury, Connecticut, US
Spouse(s) Shiva Rose (1995-present)

Dylan McDermott (born Mark Anthony McDermott[1] on October 26, 1961) is an American actor, known for his role as lawyer and law firm head Bobby Donnell on the former television legal drama The Practice.

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[edit] Early life

McDermott was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, to Diane (neé Marino) and Richard McDermott.[2] His Italian American mother was fifteen and his Irish American father was seventeen when he was born.[1] By 1967, the couple had divorced, and Diane and her children were living with her mother.[1] On February 9, 1967,[2] his mother was accidentally shot and killed with her boyfriend's gun; McDermott was five.[3] Though the truth remains unknown, her boyfriend reported to newspapers at the time that she picked up his gun and it went off.[2] He and his sister, Robin, then began to be raised by their maternal grandmother, Avis Marino, in Waterbury, CT.[1] The neighborhood was so rough that a burglar once stole their underwear.[2]

As a teenager, McDermott began taking trips to visit his father, who owned the West Fourth Street Saloon in New York City. The two would see movies together, and the younger McDermott would work in his father's bar serving drinks and breaking up fights. He would also fast talk his way into the Mudd Club and Studio 54.[2] McDermott was uncomfortable with himself as a teenager, saying he had a "Dorothy Hamill hairdo". He began to imitate his acting heroes, such as Marlon Brando and Humphrey Bogart, to adopt their demeanor.[4]

His father's third wife was Eve Ensler (author of The Vagina Monologues) and she legally adopted McDermott when he was nineteen-years-old; she has since divorced his father. McDermott was encouraged by Ensler, with whom he has remained close, to pursue an acting career,[3] and began writing roles for him into her plays.[2] After Ensler suffered a miscarriage, he took on the name Dylan—the name of her unborn child.[citation needed] He attended acting school at the Jesuit-run Fordham University, as well as The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

[edit] Career

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (February 2007)

McDermott starred as Chris in the 1989 film Twister about a man who tried to rescue his girlfriend and daughter from a crazy family.[5] The same year brought the Neon Empire, a movie about the rise and fall of one man in Las Vegas.[6] However, his first big break as an actor in the acclaimed hit film In the Line of Fire. Through his connection with Clint Eastwood, McDermott was able to land his first major gig in The Practice. The show expanded McDermott's stardom, and he made People's list of the "50 Most Beautiful People In The World 1998" with the magazine calling him a "a prime-time heartthrob".[4] He nabbed the distinction again in 2000.[7] Despite his success on The Practice, McDermott (and five other starring cast members) were cut from the show. Executive producer David E. Kelley cited "economic and creative realities" as a result of pressure from ABC to reduce costs.[8]

In 2004, McDermott starred alongside Julianna Margulies four-part mini-series The Grid, playing FBI Special Agent Max Canary in an anti-terrorist unit.[9]

McDermott and Portia in The Treatment (2006).
McDermott and Portia in The Treatment (2006).

In 2006, McDermott played a returned soldier suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder in the Ensler's play The Treatment.[10]

In 2007, McDermott starred in the television series Big Shots. Unable to improve viewership, the show was cancelled in January 2008, but was allowed to complete its thirteen episodes.[11]

[edit] Personal life

McDermott used to date actress Julia Roberts. McDermott married actress Shiva Afshar Rose, who is of half Irish and half Persian descent,[1] on November 19, 1995. They have two daughters - Colette (born 1996), and Charlotte Rose (born on September 8, 2005). Collette's birth is prominently featured in Ensler's Vagina Monologues.[2] On September 27, 2007, People confirmed that McDermott and Rose have separated.[12] On May 16, 2008, CelebTV.com reported that McDermott had filed for divorce from Rose.[13] Recently, McDermott has been seen with noted socialite Patricia Allred. In 1999, he was one of six-way tie for sixth in GQ's Man of the Year issue.[14]

McDermott is noted for his rugged looks and fashionable style, and in addition to his People magazine nods,[15] he has been featured for his style in magazines like Men's Health.[16]

[edit] Career credits

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Television

  • Big Shots (2007) - Duncan Collinsworth
  • The Grid (2004) - FBI Agent Max Canary
  • Will & Grace (2003) - Tom - guest appearance
  • Ally McBeal (1998) - Bobby Donnell - crossover guest appearance
  • The Practice (1997 – 2003) - Bobby Donnell
  • The Fear Inside (1992) - Pete Caswell
  • Tales from the Crypt (1992) - George - guest appearance
  • Into the Badlands (1991) - McComas
  • The Neon Empire (1989) - Vic

[edit] Theater

  • The Treatment (2006) — Man
  • Floating Rhoda and the Glue Man (1995) —
  • Biloxi Blues (1985) — Wykowski Selridge
  • Believe It, See It, Survival (1978) —
  • Golden Boy (date and role unknown)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Articles: Hollywood's New Golden Boy
  2. ^ a b c d e f g March 2000, "In Search of Dylan McDermott". Esquire. 133 (3):166
  3. ^ a b Dylan McDermott is on a path of rediscovery - Washington Post - MSNBC.com
  4. ^ a b No byline (1998-05-11), "Dylan McDermott". People. 49 (18):144
  5. ^ Pitman, Randy (1990-02-01), "Twister". Library Journal. 115 (2):124
  6. ^ Pitman, Randy (04-01-1990), "The Neon Empire". Library Journal. 115 (6):154
  7. ^ No byline (2000-05-08), "Dylan McDermott". People. 53 (18):174
  8. ^ Yu, Ting; Wren, Jennifer; Buckley, Suzanne; Clark, Champ; Christian-Goulding, Susan; Dagostino, Mark; Dodd, Johnny; Ellenson, Ruth Andrew; Hamm, Liza; Johnson, Lynsey; Jordan, Julie; Laboissiere, Regine; Mailander, Jodi; Marx, Linda; Nussbaum, Gail; Paley, Rebecca; Rodriguez, Brenda (2003-06-02), "Legal Eagles Out of Practice". People. 59 (21):19
  9. ^ Kelleher, Terry (2004-07-26), "The Grid". People. 62 (4):35
  10. ^ McCarter, Jeremy 2006-09-25, "Eve Ensler Has Issues". New York. 39 (33):78
  11. ^ Lynch, Jason (2007-10-15), "Big Shots". People. 68 (16):42
  12. ^ No byline (2007-10-15), "CELEBRITY ROUNDUP". Time. 170 (16):27. Retrieved on 2008-01-15
  13. ^ Dylan McDermott files for divorce from wife Shiva Rose. Retrieved on 2008-5-20
  14. ^ Johnson, Julie A. (1999-12-13), "Hanks rules roost on Nov. newsstands". Advertising Age. 70 (51):62
  15. ^ No byline (2005-11-28), "20 YEARS OF SEXY LAWYERS". People. 64 (22):181-182
  16. ^ O'Neill, Hugh (September 2004), "ICONS of Style". Men's Health, Vol. 19 (7):48

[edit] External links