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Who were Dwayne Hickman’s wives? Actor was divorced twice before marrying Joan Roberts

‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’ star Dwayne Hickman was 87 and died due to complications from Parkinson’s disease

Dwayne Hickman, who was best known for his role of Dobie Gillis in the hit CBS sitcom ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’, died on Sunday, January 9. He was 87. The actor who later became a television executive, producer, and director, died due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. The unfortunate news was confirmed by a family member to the publication Entertainment Weekly. The actor is now survived by his wife and two sons.
 
Sheila Kuehl, the former co-star of Dwayne Hickman on the show ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’ too took to Twitter to share the sad news as she remembered him as a “true professional” adding that it was such a joy and a privilege working” with the actor. Speaking of celebrity deaths, iconic comedian Mort Sahl, rapper Lil Meri, acclaimed hip-hop producer Traxamillion, and ‘Comic Book Men’ star Robert Bruce were other public figures that left for heavenly abode. Iconic Hollywood star Betty White was another star who left her fans devastated after she died at the age of 99.
 
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Who were Dwayne Hickman’s wives?

Hickman was born in the year 1934 in Los Angeles and began his acting career as a child actor. He eagerly followed the footsteps of his older brother, Darryl Hickman, and appeared in minor roles in ‘Captain Eddie’, ‘The Secret Heart’, ‘Mighty Joe Young’, and ‘The Happy Years’. However, his best work came in the form of ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis’, which aired between 1959 and 1963 on CBS. It was one of the first series to take teenagers as central characters.  He later went on to do a number of teenage roles such as opposite Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin in ‘Cat Ballou.’
 
Hickman graduated from Cathedral High School in 1952 and had intentions to become a Passionist priest, but ultimately dropped the idea and later Loyola Marymount University.  In the 1970s, he opted to work behind the camera as he became a CBS network executive with shows under his belt like ‘Maude’, ‘M*A*S*H’ and ‘Designing Women’ among others. Speaking of his personal life, Hickman got lucky in love thrice. He first married Carol Christensen and later tied the knot with Joanne Papile. However, both his marriages ended in a divorce. He then got married to actress Joan Roberts with whom he was married until his death. Hickman had two sons namely John Hickman and Albert Hickman from his first and third marriage.  Joan Roberts was one of the actors on CBS television series, ‘Pvt. Benjamin’ and the show was assigned to none other than Hickman. According to IMDb, the two met at a studio party and got married in the year 1983.

Fans pay tribute to Dwayne Hickman

Social media users flocked to Twitter to bid the former teen heartthrob a final goodbye. “Grew up watching Dobie Gillis. Remember trying to convince a (younger) colleague that Bob Denver was in something BEFORE Gilligan's Island. Thank goodness for IMDB!”, said one user as another posted, “Loved that show. It was my first glimpse of college life. RIP.” One user tweeted, “One of the best sitcoms of all time. RIP Dooobie.”
 
 The next one shared, “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis was the hippest sitcom of the early 60s. (In one episode, Maynard G. Krebs said disdainfully of another beatnik, "He walked past a picture of Dizzy Gillespie and didn't genuflect!") Dwayne Hickman was so good as Dobie. RIP.” Whereas, one posted, “His performance in the train scene in Cat Ballou was probably my favorite scene.  I can still recite the “drunk preacher”’s speech.” Another shared, “Dwayne was great as Dobie. The show was a quiet gem in the years Nick at Nite repeated it. Dobie is the type of character - a proto-Zack Morris - who should have annoyed you, but Hickman was too endearing and likeable to ever let that happen.” And, one concluded, “Dwayne Hickman who played Dobie Gillis passed away at the age of 87.  I haven't seen that show in a long time, he will be missed.”