Tall, Dark and Awesome

As this blog moves from the professional arena to the personal, it is only fitting that I begin posting about my favorite actor, who is the inspiration for my nom de plume - the one and only Dale Midkiff.

As you can see, Dale is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. He is tall (6'3") and lanky with legs that just go on forever. His eyes are dark blue and his voice, which ranges from a rich baritone to a caressing near-whisper, is like fine whiskey covered in dark chocolate. He has a sweet half-smile that delights my heart and a full-on grin that lights up the world.

His early career roles included Elvis in the mini series "Elvis and Me" and the big screen adaptation of a Steven King novel, "Pet Semetary."

Since then, he has appeared in thrillers, action-adventures, romantic comedies, and "chick flicks," as well as guest starring in a number of television series.

My first glimpse of him was in the TV series "The Magnificent Seven," adapted from the big screen movie, about seven complex, hard men who band together to defend first an Indian village and then a Western town and in the process become companions in arms, friends, brothers.

This is Buck Wilmington, Ladies Man, scoundrel, rogue, tough gunhand.

He has a heart of gold as big as the West and a love of all things life brings his way. He adores women, all women, and flirts shamelessly. He is handsome and charming and easily secures a parade of lovelies into his bed. But there is more to Buck than wine, women and song. He is a good man to have at your side when danger threatens, he is fiercely loyal, and he is the best friend a man could wish for.

Buck is both tough and tender, a strong man who is not afraid to show his emotions, to be vulnerable.

When I first saw the series, this was the look that captured my heart. Yes, Tall, Dark and Awesome had me at the opening credits.

My other favorite roles Dale has played are:

Darien Lambert in "Time Trax." Darien is a dedicated cop from 2193, who returns to our time to locate criminals, fugitives from justice who have escaped to the past, and return them to face their fate. He travels only with a computer nicknamed Selma, who is disguised as a credit card and who is both helper and friend. Darien is a full-out, straight-laced hero and at the same time a man who has left all he knows behind to seek justice. He displays both humor and naivite along with strength, judgement, heart, and determination.

Clark Davis in "Love Comes Softly" and its sequels.

Marty Claridge is a young woman reluctantly headed west with her husband, Aaron to start a new life. A runaway horse kills Aaron suddenly, leaving Marty far from home and in a sea of strangers. Adrift in her tragedy, Marty has no means of caring for herself until Clark offers to marry her and care for her until she can return to the East. Clark needs a mother for his ten-year-old daughter, who is determined to foil all of Marty’s attempts at kindness. In a place where all hope seems lost, Marty discovers love is found in the most unlikely of places. Love doesn't always come with fireworks. Sometimes, love just comes softly.

Clark is a man of quiet, unshakeable faith, whose gentleness, sincerity, and strength lead Marty to a new life, a new love, a new family.

Gus Martin in "Back to You and Me." Successful doctor Syd Ludwig receives an invitation to her twentieth high school reunion. But that means returning to the petty squabbles of her rural hometown roots, reacquainting herself with Gus Martin, the fondly remembered childhood sweetheart she left behind, and reuniting with her estranged mother Helen. When the prodigal success arrives in Bloomfield, she’s surprised to find her family home turned into a B&B run by her mother. Syd’s also taken aback by her still deep feelings for Gus, now a widower with a six-year-old son. As a weekend of personal and professional revelations unfold, and as unexpected romance blossoms, Syd discovers more about herself, her past, and the possibilities of the heart than she ever imagined.

Gus is handsome and sensitive and is raising his son alone. Despite often being ill with a condition doctors are unable to diagnose, Jake is sweet, smart, and his father's delight. Having given up on love, Gus is amazed at the good fortune that has brought Syd back into his life.

Robert Lee in "Debating Robert Lee." Robert Lee is a tough, no nonsense debate teacher, schooled at the Georgia Military Academy, who comes into a classroom of high school misfits and proceeds to challenge and inspire them.

But though Robert long ago steered through and past the dangerous straits of adolescence, he harbors a secret pain he's never fully come to terms with - but he must, finally, now.

The outcome challenges the public lives of both students and teacher, and draw forth their private selves. Each finds in himself, herself, a new voice, one that compels us to listen.

Robert is at once both strong individual and conflicted son. He has never been able to confront is father with the fact that he is gay. This gulf between father and son is made more poignant by the fact that the elder Lee is ill with cancer. Dale's bringing to life this unique, damaged, hopeful, complex man is perhaps his finest acting performance, though I admittedly find it almost impossible to choose among such rich portrayals.

Well, there he is. Dale. Tall, Dark, and Awesome indeed.