Darryl and Dwayne Hickman are classic television stars

The Hickman brothers, Darryl and Dwayne were true classic television stars although their careers took different paths. Dwayne is best remembered for having the starring role in the television series THE MANY LIVES OF DOBY GILLIS from 1959-1963 but his older sibling is not as well known. Perhaps you saw Darryl in a movie or television show and mistook him for his younger brother. If you are a fan of classic television you will see both men on various TV shows on the throw back networks. Let's take a look at what these two contributed to the world of entertainment.

Darryl was born on July 28, 1931, and began his acting career as a child star. At the age of 6 he had him s first role in the film THE PRISONER OF ZENDA in 1937 and next came THE GRAPES OF WRATH in 1939 and LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN in 1943. Dwayne found it difficult turning 18 and no longer being in the limelight he was used to as a child and decided to go into a monastery. A month later he was back in Hollywood but his career was cut short by a stint in the US army from 1954-1956.

Upon his return to civilian life, he was cast in the movie TEA AND SYMPATHY in 1958 but after that, he began working in television. Between 1959 and 1960 he appeared three times on THE MANY LOVES OF DOBY GILLIS as Davey, the older sibling of his brother Dwayne's character Doby. In 1961 Dwayne was on GUNSMOKE in the episode 'The Choice". He appeared in many television series including THE UNTOUCHABLES, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, THE LONE RANGER and in the PERRY MASON episode "The Case of the Sleepwalker's Niece" and starred in the short-lived television series 'The American." Dwayne Hickman eventually became a screenwriter and television producer.

Dwayne Hickman was born on May 18, 1934, and got his start in showbusiness in two films where his brother was featured as an extra in THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1939) and MEN OF BOYS TOWN (1941). The younger Hickman sibling was also in the 1942 OUR GANG comedy Melodies Old and New, CAPTAIN EDDIE (1945), THE HOODLUM SAINT (1946), and FAITHFUL WITH MY FASHION (1946). During that same year, Hickman was in the movie THE SECRET HEART.

Deayne, just like his older sibling considered going into ministry and thought about becoming a priest. From 1955-1959 Dwayne Hickman starred in THE BOB CUMINGS SHOW and began his run as Doby from 1959-1963. He was later in episodes of THE NIGHT STALKER and PERRY MASON and starred in the film WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DOBY GILLIS. He was also in the films BEACH PARTY and HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI. Like his brother Darryl, Dwayne also began working behind the scenes as a producer.

There is no record of these talented men working together after their time on THE MANY LOVES OF DOBY GILLIS. Darryl was married twice and has 2 children and Dwayne has been married 3 times and also has 2 children. One is by his first wife, (1963/1972) actress/model/beauty pageant winner Carol Christensen who appeared on DOBY GILLIS a few times. His second child is by his current wife, actress/voiceover artist Joan Roberts. The couple has been married since 1983.

Darryl Hickman married actress Pamela Lincoln, and the duo worked together in 1959 in the movie THE TINGLER They divorced in 1982, and in 1985 the younger of their two sons, Justin, committed suicide at the age of 19. Keep your eyes out for the Hickman brothers when watching classic television and movies.