Has
anyone here called for a cop?
Barry Van Dyke was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 31st,
1951. He is Dick and Margorie Van Dyke's son.
Barry didn’t want to become an actor from the very beginning. He had
always been into sports and after all his father’s work had taught him
how nerve-wrecking and exhausting the show-buisness could be.
He still recalls that he used to carry his toys around in a pillow case
when the family travelled through the country. Once they had reached a
hotel the case was emptied and when it was time to leave, all things
were packed into it again.
However, when he was nine years old, he appeared for the first time in
the episode “The Talented Neighbourhood” of “The Dick Van Dyke Show”
and entertained the American people as violin-tootling Florian. And he
really liked it, so later he did another episode. “I wanted to be in
all
of them, but you know, my father said: ’Hey, enjoy your childhood –
take
your time, grow up.”
As an adolescent Barry often joined his father and worked on the set
of the “Dick Van Dyke Show”. “Just being on the set was an experience,
you
know, it was just the chemistry and the magic, it was a once in a
lifetime
kind of thing.”
Later he became student at the Pierce Junios College and chose acting
as his subject.
In 1980 Barry played in the TV Movie “Casino” and soon after that he
got a role as Lieutenant Dillon next to Kent McCord in “Battlestar
Gallactica 1980”. “We still hear from Gallactica fans, they’re like
Star Trek fans.”
In the comedy show “Gun Shy” (1983) he played Russel Donovan, a gambler
in the wild west, who unexpectedly becomes foster parent of two little
children.
In 1987 Barry moved to Vancouver, Kanada, for a while to film the 4th
season of “Airwolf”. He plays Sgt. John Hawk, the long lost
brother of the main character Stringfellow Hawk.
I
think I’m too drunk to drive, would you take me home?
Until he was nine years old Barry grew up in New York, then his family
moved to Los Angeles and so did he, of course. He has one older
brother, Christian, and two younger sisters, Carrie-Beth and Stacey.
For Barry living as a son of a famous actor wasn’t always easy. Dick
worked hard and his son often had the feeling that he had
to share his dad with a million of total strangers.
When he was 16 years old, Barry got to know his future wife, Mary, who
worked at a cinema in their neighbourhood and whom he married 7 years
later. Together they have
four children, three sons, Carey, Shane and Wes, and one daughter,
Taryn.
Dick once said that he thinks that his son is a very good father.
In the Van Dykes’ house Carey is the gourmet cook while his father
usually keeps his hands off that. Barry’s favorite food is Japanese.
He is still a very enthusiastic sportsman (wouldn’t have noticed that!
;-)). His biggest passion are dirt bikes and earlier he sometimes took
part in protest rides of the bikers. He also likes surfing and once
rescued a
person from drowning.
In our beloved TV show Barry plays the homicide detective Steve Sloan,
son of Dr Mark Sloan, who’s played by no one else than his real-life
father Dick Van Dyke.
How he got his role Barry describes this way: ”They introduced the
character of Dr Mark Sloan, who turned out to be this
sleuth/doctor/crime solver,
and when it was picked they decided that they needed the influence of a
cop character, running in the end, say “Freeze”, and read them their
rights
and take them away – the ‘run-jump-shoot-guy’.
So they said, well, gee, who could we get to play Dick’s son? And the
thought and I went: ‘Me, me, me!!’ And they said ‘great’. We’ve been
doing
that ever since and it’s been wonderful.”
Barry appreciates playing with his father very much. Work has given
father and son the opportunity to get to know each other: “We get to
act together on a regular basis.”
But that’s not the only thing he likes about this show: ”We’ve been
able to put our own personalities and our own stamp on the kind of
programming we think should be on. There’s nothing like us anymore.”
But flubs do happen, even at the DM set. But no one really seems to be
bothered by that. ”...and the best of all: I see Dad screw up on
regular basis. Really. And he gets to see me screw up as well. More
often than not we get to screw up at the same time.”
And not only Barry and Dick have fun at work, but also acting colleague
Charlie Schlatter. Barry says: ”We like to have a good laugh at
somebody else’s expense. And if you make a mistake with Charlie, you
better be
ready to be called on that because, you know, it’ll be coming. It’s a
little smile on his face and a little twinkle in his eye.”
Though sometimes it almost works at the first attempt. But...”almost
doesn’t count with Charlie Schlatter. Never let the guy off the hook is
his motto.”
But they seem to be happy with that. “We’re spoiled. My Dad sets the
tone. He likes to have fun and it’s contagious.” (hehe, if he knew how
right he is?)
There
is no one else we’d prefer to watch him shaving.
And so there
are some future fears: ”God help us if we have to even go out there and
find real jobs!”
Steve Sloan is the oldest son of Dr Mark Sloan, with whom he shares a
nearly perfect father-son-relationship, which is
often admired, sometimes envied by people.
He works as a homicide detective for the LAPD (Los Angeles Police
Department). He put off his uniform a long time ago and wears civil
clothes (which mostly means blazer and T-shirt ;-) ).
He used to live in a jerry-built house in Venice Beach, but now he
lives in Malibu and has a very generous landlord: his Dad. Therefore he
can’t always
avoid the help from his father and his friends when it comes to solving
crimes.
Steve himself is sometimes quite annoyed by that, but he’s given up
contradicting.
He has got one younger sister, Carol, who ran off with her shady
husband years ago. Steve still feels guilty because he thinks that he
didn’t watch out after her well enough.
Steve has also loved his mother, who died of cancer some years earlier,
very much. When he still was very young she once sewed him a
Superman-costume for Christmas, which he wore for days instead of
underwear because he believed it would make him invulnerable.
After his mother's death Steve went through a very rough time and
sometimes ended up in serious trouble. But there was a police man who,
for some reason, did believe in him and gave him a second chance. By
now Steve has become
one of the best investigators of the LAPD himself and just as a
good-natured
cop. Also he has got his protégés who sometimes cause him
a
lot of trouble, but are –when it counts- about as trusting as normally
rebellious.
Steve is very protective over his father and his friends and is also
willing to risk his life for theirs if it has to be. As a cop things
are usually black/white for him and he is forced to see the facts, of
course, but since he has a sense for justice he is almost able to solve
the cases (with a little help from Mark, Amanda and Jesse), as tricky
as they might be.
A more tiresome topic is Steve’s love life or more likely the lack of
it. He just doesn’t seem to have luck with women. Once work is in the
way, once he has to arrest the woman of his dreams, once she dies or is
already married. So Steve describes himself as the unluckiest bachelor
in LA. Nonetheless Steve is a truly faithful and lovely man and also a
real gentleman. But
he doesn’t like to talk about his feelings and so his father and
friends
sometimes have problems to get through to him.
Once Steve was seriously shot, but he has fully recovered from that,
what you can’t claim about his passion to Hamburgers and ribs. Maybe
that’s one of the reasons why he owns a small BBQ restaurant, together
with Jesse.
Enjoying
your time, detective?
He once attended evening school, but then no one ever talked about it
again. For his accomplishments in the Vietnam War Steve was honoured
with the Silverstar. He likes sports, while at highschool he played
baseball, later at college football and he surfs, boxes and rides dirt
bikes. He is also a big fan of the LA Lakers. In his free time Steve
likes to wear multi-colored Hawaii shirts, even
though Mark always cracks jokes about that.
And here are eppis you shouldn’t miss as a true Barry/Steve Fan:
First Season
(Wow, if all
policemen looked like this, I wouldn’t mind at all!)
Vanishing
Act 1+2
Yeah, Stevie, we know that you are able to shave! ;-)
Flashdance
with Death
There! It’s already starting. Steve and the women...*sniff*
Second Season
(Still no
girlfriend in sight...hey, hey, over here! *waves*)
Georgia
On My Mind
Steve and Jack are just soo sweet while they are trying to impress that
woman!
Third Season
(Well, some
changes, but our favorite detective is still there, of course!)
Love
Is Murder
Steve falls in love with a woman who turns out to be a cop killer.
And again it hasn’t worked...Oh gosh, does he really deserve that?!
Fourth Season
(What would
the evenings be without him?!)
Murder
by Friendly Fire
One of Steve’s friends shoots another cop during a raid. But was it
really an accident?
A uniformed Steve...that’s definetely worth watching!
Murder
Can Be Contagious
That eppi is great, great, great!! Who hasn’t got how much Steve loves
his father and his friends by now... shame on those!
Murder
In The Family
Steve’s sister Carol returns and gets into serious trouble once her
husband is murdered.
Name one girl who doesn’t want Steve to be her older brother...and one
boy who wants him to be his date’s older brother...
Blood
Brothers Murder
A young boy is accused of murdering his girlfriend’s brother, but Mark
and Steve want to help him to prove his innocence.
Now also his two sons are on camera...Do they want us to faint of
happiness?!
Fifth Season
(Here it
comes! Watch out, if that isn’t
a Steve-Season!!)
Murder
Blues
The LAPD has to deal with a corruption scandal and Steve is involved.
Lies and conspiracies among those who are to
protect us. It’s good to know at least someone trusting in that
business!
Malibu
Fire
When a big bush fire breaks out, Mark, Amanda and Jesse help as doctors
on the scene and Steve helps the fire department to find out the cause
of the fire. Then he is almost killed by an unknown person and the gang
has to find out that the fire wasn’t just a bad temper of nature.
That look on Mark’s face when he stands next to Steve, who lies
unconsciously on the stretcher, the same look in Steve’s
eyes when he is told that his father is in danger...that isn’t just
acting!
Nail-biting time!
A
Mime Is A Terrible Thing To Waste
Steve must deal with a woman who at first hits him with her car, then
pours soup over his knees and finally comes to him asking to
investigate because she has found a dead mime in her bed.
BVD shows us his great sense of humour. Watch
it, you’ll die laughing, I can tell ya!!
Down
And Dirty Death
One of the best and craziest dirt bike riders is murdered and one of
Steve’s protégés is accused of committing it.
And once again a walking generation contract: Dick Van Dyke, Barry Van
Dyke, Shane Van Dyke and Carey Van Dyke on dirt bikes. For different
reasons worth a look!
Retribution
1+2
Having arrested one of the biggest crime bosses in LA, Steve is
seriously hurt in a shooting and Mark threatens the man who is supposed
to have
tried to kill Steve. Soon after, that man is also murdered and Mark is
arrested because everyone believes that he has committed the murder.
A two hours eppi about love, fear and the greatest
father-son-relationship ever since TV exists. Exciting, sensitive and
lovely!
Baby
Boom
Amanda helps out in a gymnatics group for pregnant women when a man
rushes in and threatens to let explode the building. He claims one of
the babies to be his, but doesn’t know himself which one it is. Amanda
calls Steve
and Mark for help, but are they really one?
If you have always wanted to know how Steve looks as a midwife, you
shouldn’t miss that!
Obsession
1+2
The Sunny View bomber, one of the most dangerous bombers in the history
of LA, who was arrested with Mark’s help, is finally executed. But soon
after his death bombings start again and Mark must face that maybe the
wrong man has been sentenced to death.
Scaring pics, rush and political fights...and our Fab4 are caught in
the middle. Contains something for everybody.
Sixth Season
(Slight loss
of reality: Being controlled by a cop, you first have a very close look
at him before thinking about a cheap excuse. It might be...)
Resurrection
1+2
After the CGH has been destroyed by a bomb, Caitlin Sweeney, daughter
of the dead Sunny View Bomber, starts killings and robberies and
finally kidnaps Mark.
FBI Agent Ron Wagner says, what all of us are thinking: ”I think you’re
sexy, too!”
Wrong
Number
A child is kidnapped and during ransom money transfer a man is killed.
Awwww..poor Steve should get a week off for all this running he does!
The
Last Resort
Steve accidently shoots an unarmed man. Together with his partner he
has to take part in a psychiatric program at the CGH. But are things
really what they seem at first?
Not really a typical DM eppi as it aims at the psyche, always reminds
me a bit of “The Coup”. Cool!
Trapped
In Paradise
Steve does an undercover investigation and has some help...But is he
really happy about that?
In my opinion the most charming “wife” Steve’s ever had. ;-)
Murder
On The Hour
Murders are committed every hour at the Community General. Mark, Steve,
Jesse and Amanda try to catch the killer, but that turns out to be
quite difficult.
The well-known race against time, but new and exciting this time. And
our favorite cop in the middle of it.
Down
Among The Dead Men
A mad man is stalking Steve.
WIIYC = Watch It If You Can!!
Never
Say Die
A murder in a boxing club leads to an investigation.
Well, definitely shows that all members of that Van Dyke clan could
have hit it worse...I am subtle, ain’t I ?!
Seventh Season
(Hmmm...slowly
I’m running out of comments...I know: Barry, Barry, Barry!!!)
The
Flame
Men-friendships and the women...never an easy thing.
Man
Over Board
A man is murdered during a cruise and his daughter is arrested, but
Steve doesn’t believe that she’s done it.
Oh yeah, the good old Loveboat...Barry still has it!
Frontier
Dad
When a stuntman dies on the set of the western show “Frontier Dad”
Steve goes undercover to find out the true reasons of that death. But
he has
got more help than he wants.
Not only Mark is amused: ”We see Steve go bye-bye?”
The
Unluckiest Bachelor in LA
In the TV show “Make A Date” Steve meets Lilly and falls in love with
her. But soon after that Lilly is hit by a car with deadly
consequences. Steve wants to find the killer.
Very sad and at the same time so great! And it’s even funny to see how
Jesse talks himself almost too close to the point
where Steve is gonna bite his head off.
Jake’s
Women
Mark learns that his old friend Jake is a bigamist. And Steve’s new
flame causes some problems.
Steve Sloan and Maith Marsden...any questions about alliteration?
Murder
By Remote
Steve has decided to move to a new house, in which everything works
fully automatical.
Another great Sloan family story. Sweet!
Eighth Season
(Whoever
has said that you should stop at the greatest point, didn’t know this
show!)
The
Patient Detective
After a bad car accident Steve is brought to the Community General and
witnesses a murder there, but no one wants to believe him.
Heart-melting! ‘Nuff said!
The
Sins Of A Father
Mark finds out that his father didn’t leave the family years ago, but
was murdered. And Mark wouldn’t be Mark if he didn’t start to search
the murder...
...what isn’t possible without Steve, who not only learns something
about his familiar history, but also has to solve the
problems of the present.
Dance
Of Danger
A journalist gets involved in a murder investigation when one of her
informants is stabbed on the dancefloor.
This eppi is with Ellen, Steve’s future fiancée, so it’s
definitely
worth watching it!
Deadly
Mirage 1
A woman who looks exactly like Lily, Steve’s dead love, turns up and
messes up his life.
It’s so lovely how Steve drops and leaves everything to run after
her...*sighs dreamingly*
No, no, noooooooo, I hadn’t finished yet!! You all ears? Yeah? Great!
Well, what I wanted to say was just that Barry isn’t only cute, nice,
good-looking...ahem, what was I about to say?
Oh yeah, he also wrote some eppis: Blood Brothers Murder, Down And
Dirty Dead, Never Say Die and The Blair Nurse Project (Season 8).
Barry’s kids are in them and he mainly wrote the scripts to give his
children the chance to play with their grandfather before he retires.
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