RIP DWAYNE HICKMAN

1934-2022

Dwayne Hickman was the younger brother of actor Darryl Hickman, with whom he sometimes appeared on screen. They were born in Los Angeles. Dwayne was best known as the title character of “The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis” (1959-63) a show, like “I Love Lucy”, that aired on CBS and was sponsored by Philip Morris.  

Prior to that, Dwanye played love-struck teen Chuck on “The Bob Cummings Show” (1955-59), which filmed at General Service Studios, just like “I Love Lucy” originally did. Cummings played Bob Collins, and in 1972 he revived the character on an episode of “Here’s Lucy” titled “Lucy’s Punctured Romance” (HL S4;E22). 

A 14 year-old Hickman appeared uncredited with Lucille Ball in her 1948 film Her Husband’s Affairs.  

In 1964 he played a doctor on one episode of the Desilu series “The Greatest Show On Earth”, produced by Lucille Ball. She guest-starred in an episode of her own series in December 1963. 

On December 26, 1965, the Miami News reported that Hickman and Vivian Vance were coming to the Coconut Grove Playhouse to perform in the Neil Simon play Barefoot in the Park. In August 1965, co-star Darryl Hickman and Vance had appeared on the TV game show “Call My Bluff” together. After the height of his television fame, Hickman (like Vance) often did regional, stock, and dinner theatre plays to hone their craft.  

From 1977 to 1988, Hickman served as a programming executive at CBS. He took time out for cameos and guest spots, while also directing and producing. In his retirement, he took up painting. 

Thrice wed, Hickman has two children – one by his first wife, actress / model Carol Christensen (1963-1972) who appeared a few times on “Dobie Gillis”, and the other by his present wife, actress / voiceover artist Joan Roberts, to whom he has been married since 1983. 

He was 87 years old.