Dirk Benedict, born Dirk Niewoehner under the sign of Pisces, will always be a country boy. Raised in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, Dirk describes his childhood as a wonderful experience in which he learned to think and do for himself a lesson Dirk values highly.

Unlike the majority of youth today, television and movie theaters did not occupy Dirk's free time. He much preferred the pastimes of fishing, hunting and sports. Dirk excelled in sports during his high school years, especially football. He was chosen for the AII-State football team in his senior year and so had visions of performing on the field and not on the stage.

Dirk experienced his acting debut quite unexpectedly during his first year at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington when he won the leading role in a college production of "Showboat". His football buddies had dared him to try out for the part and much to everyone's surprise, including Dirk's, he was cast as the riverboat gambler, Gaylord Ravenal. What surprised Dirk even more was that he loved it! Fascinated by his discovery of the dramatic arts, he changed his college major to drama and continued to study and perform in college productions.

After graduating with a degree in fine arts, Dirk entered an intensive training program under the direction of John Fernald, former principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in Londen. Upon completion of the program he was invited to join Mr. Fernald's repertory company. Dirk also performed with the repertory companies in Seattle, Washington and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He did summer stock between seasons and the impressive performances he gave included: Edmund in "King Lear", Johnny Tarleton in "Misalliance", Ensign Pulver in "Mister Roberts" and Neil Simon's leading man in "Star Spangled Girl".

Dirk's musical interests kept pace with his stage interests. He put his musical talents, both vocal and instrumental, to good use by helping to form a Dixieland Jazz Band in Seattle. However, before the band's debut, Dirk met with his new agent in New York who sent him to his first Broadway audition. The result was a role in the Broadway production of "Abelard and Heloise" starring Diana Rigg and Keith Michell.

Shortly after the play closed, Dirk found himself across the Atlantic in Sweden filming his first role for the silver screen. The film, "Georgia, Georgia", a story about a draft resister, starred the late Diana Sands. Upon completion of the picture Dirk enjoyed an extended hiatus in Greece returning to the United States a few months later after receiving a call from his agent concerning another Broadway play. This time he replaced Keir Dullea in "Butterflies Are Free" playing Gloria Swanson's blind son.

During that time Dirk and Ms. Swanson became very close. A vegetarian herself, she encouraged wholeheartedly the interest he had taken in health foods during his stay in Sweden. Dirk's way of life changed. He stopped consuming sugar and became a vegetarian eating mainly rice, whole grains and vegetables. Dirk is now a firm believer in the old saying, "You are what you eat"!

After the Broadway production of "Butterflies Are Free" closed, Dirk was offered the same role in the Hawaiian version opposite Barbara Rush. While in Hawaii he appeared in a segment of the popular series, "Hawaii Five-0". His Hollywood film debut was in "Sssss" in which he portrayed a young student transformed into a King Cobra. In his next project, a film entitled "W", he gave a strong performance as Twiggy's psychotic husband who resorted to wife beating when unable to cope with reality.

Dirk, now relocated in Hollywood, decided to try a television series produced by Aaron Spelling, "Chopper One". The show, overrun with technology and with undeveloped characters, was cancelled after approximately thirteen weeks. Dirk retreated to his place in Montana and began writing. In that time of almost a year, he penned two screenplays both of which interested a well-known producer.

In 1977 he returned to the stage co-starring with Lucie Arnaz in the musical version of "Lil' Abner". When the play's summer tour finished, Dirk returned to Hollywood and auditioned for his second series, "Battlestar Galactica". Dirk was "thrilled when hired for the show and cast as the flirtatious Starbuck", a role Dirk has come to describe as his favorite. And his portrayal of that lovable, reluctant hero has enchanted audiences the world over! Unfortunately, the series folded after one season gone from the screen but far from being forgotten. The series and its characters are still kept very much alive by the undying enthusiasm of many "Galactica" fans.

Since the cancellation of "Battlestar Galactica", Dirk has made several feature films like: "Scavenger Hunt", "Ruckus", and "Underground Aces". He has starred in the television pilot "Scruples", "The Love Boat Christmas Special" and "Georgia Peaches", a movie of the week co-starring country singer, Tanya Tucker. Dirk also filmed another pilot, "Family in Blue", based on the lives and careers of a family dedicated to policework. Then of course came "The A-team".

Dirk admits the phenomenal success he has achieved since "Battlestar Galactica", has come as a very pleasant surprise to him and he enjoys it. However, Dirk is a very private person and as much as he loves all the attention, he does treasure his time away from all the glitter of Hollywood. He tries to spend as much time as possible in the one place he genuinely loves his beautiful home in Montana. Since obtaining his private pilot's license, he is able to fly back and forth via his own airplane whenever his schedule permits, which is never often enough for Dirk. For no matter where his career takes him, the only place that Dirk is truely at home is in the beautiful mountains and wilderness of Montana.