Trivia

Was fired from Matlock (1986), due to his serious drug and alcohol abuse in 1989.

Had missed 7 episodes or had limited appearances during the third season of Matlock (1986), because he was sent to a rehabilitation clinic for his drug and alcohol abuse, where he stayed on an outpatient basis.

Was approached by Fred Silverman and Dean Hargrove as their first choice for a co-starring role opposite Andy Griffith in the long-running drama Matlock (1986). He accepted and won the role.

Acting mentors were Andy Griffith and Victor French.

Best known by the public for his starring role as Tyler Hudson on Matlock (1986).

Worked with Dick Van Dyke twice on Matlock (1986) and Diagnosis Murder (1993).

At Copiague High School, he was the star of the track team, with the encouragement of his mother.

Before he was a successful actor, he worked with the inaugural theater group at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., where he conducted workshops as a founding member of the D.C. Black Repertory Company.

After he married Linda Copling, he became a traveling evangelist, and he and his wife spent the next decade preaching in gospel musicals.

Had lost his father when he was only 12.

Graduated from Copiague High School in Copiague, Suffolk County, New York, in 1967.

Is one of the two actors of Matlock (1986) not to share a line with Don Knotts.