Thursday, December 1, 2011

World AIDS Day Tribute: Dack Rambo (1955-1992) -- 'Another World,' 'Dallas,' 'All My Children,' 'Paper Dolls,' 'Never Too Young'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Dack Rambo (who was born Norman Jay Rambo) was born in Delano, Calif., on November 13, 1941. He died of complications from AIDS on March 21, 1994 in his home town at age 52.

Dack appeared in number of primetime television shows over the years from Gunsmoke to The Guns of Will Sonnett. He also appeared in nighttime soaps with roles as Wesley Harper on Paper Dolls and Jack Ewing on Dallas.



One of his early TV roles was as Tim on Never Too Young. In the early '80s he played Steve Jacobi on All MY Children.



In 1991, while appearing as the original Grant Harrison on Another World, Dack discovered he had contracted AIDS. He made a decision to retire in order to focus on awareness of the deadly disease. He was extremely candid as to his bisexuality and detrimental lifestyle, advocating safe sex and helping to establish an international data bank for AIDS research.



Dack had a twin brother, Dirk (named Orman at birth), who died in 1967 after being hit by a drunk driver. Dack's noticeable difference was a mole on his left cheek. They both got their start on The New Loretta Young Show. They are buried near each other.

Finally, here's a memorable quote from the courageous Dack Rambo: "Somebody once asked me, 'Are you sorry about anything?' And I said, 'No. What is, is.' Actually, I'm grateful for all those experiences. I wouldn't trade them. I had a varied background, and you pay the price for that, I guess."

2 comments:

  1. He set the standard and wasn't afraid to admit he was Bi sexual.

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  2. Bless You, Dack!

    We Love You Very, Very Much!

    Brian :-)

    ReplyDelete