Dennis Dirk Blocker (born July 31, 1957) is an American actor. He earned his first regular TV role on Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978),[1] playing pilot Jerry Bragg. From 2013–2021, he starred as Detective Michael Hitchcock on the Fox/NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Born in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of actor Dan Blocker and Dolphia Lee Blocker (née Parker).[2] His brother is producer David Blocker.

Dirk Blocker
Born
Dennis Dirk Blocker

(1957-07-31) July 31, 1957 (age 67)
OccupationActor
Years active1974–present
TelevisionJerry Bragg on Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978)
Detective Hitchcock on Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)
Spouse
Danielle Aubuchon
(m. 1990)
Children2
Parent(s)Dan Blocker (father)
Dolphia Parker (mother)
RelativesDavid Blocker (brother)

Career

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Blocker appeared onscreen for the first time with his father in a 1964 car commercial.[3] He began appearing on American television in 1974, acting in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. at the age of 16.[4] He has had guest roles in ER;[1] Little House on the Prairie; The X-Files; Beverly Hills, 90210; Walker, Texas Ranger; Night Court; Murder, She Wrote; M*A*S*H; Doogie Howser, M.D.; Matlock; Quantum Leap and CHiPs. At age 19, he was cast in the role of 1st Lt. Jerry Bragg on the military drama Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978). He did not have another regular TV series role until being cast in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021).

He played a supporting role in Bonanza: The Return as a reporter named Walter Fenster, and again in the 1995 Bonanza: Under Attack.[5]

An article published by NBC states that (at an unspecificed date) "Blocker went back to school to earn his bachelor of arts degree so he could teach K-12" and in 2017, published a book that he had written, Master and the Little Monk, about "a lonely young boy who is befriended by a unique ally and mentor".[6]

His film credits include Midnight Madness (1980),[3] Raise the Titanic (1980),[4] The Border (1982), Poltergeist (1982),[4] Starman (1984), Trouble in Mind (1985), Made in Heaven (1987), Prince of Darkness (1987), Pink Cadillac (1989), Cutting Class (1989), Equinox (1992), Short Cuts (1993), Night of the Scarecrow (1995), and Mad City (1997).

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 Marcus Welby, M.D. Benji 1 Episode
Little House on the Prairie Abel Makay Episode "School Mom"
Lucas Tanner Jordan Adair 1 Episode
1975 The Family Holvak Pete 1 Episode
1976 Phyllis Jack 1 Episode
1976–78 Baa Baa Black Sheep 1st Lt. Jerome "Jerry" Bragg Main Role
1978 'CHiPs Turk 1 Episode
1979 B.J. and the Bear Jimmy Lee 1 Episode
1980 Midnight Madness Blaylak – Green Team
Raise the Titanic Merker
1981 M*A*S*H James Mathes Episode: Identity Crisis
1982 The Border Beef
Poltergeist Jeff Shaw
Two of a Kind Barry TV Movie
1984 Starman Cop #1
1985 Trouble in Mind Rambo
1987 Hunter Randall Episode: The Jade Woman
Made in Heaven Shorty
Prince of Darkness Mullins
1988 MacGyver Chuck Episode: Blood Brothers
Born to Race Bud
Newhart Little Duke Mulberry Episode: I Came, I Saw, I Sat
1989 Cutting Class Coach Harris TV movie
Pink Cadillac Policeman #1
21 Jump Street Officer Ross Episode: Things We Said Today
1990 Love at Large Hiram Culver, Used-Car Salesman
1992 Equinox Red
1993 Short Cuts Diner Customer
River of Rage Sheriff Mapes TV Movie
Bonanza: The Return Walter Fenster TV Movie
1994 Murder, She Wrote Sheriff Jim Monday Episode: Roadkill
The John Larroquette Show Tom Tuttle Episode: Another Average Night
1995 Bonanza: Under Attack Fenster TV movie
Walker, Texas Ranger Buford Pike Episodes: Trust No One
Night of the Scarecrow George
1996 The Siege at Ruby Ridge Undercover agent uncredited
Larger Than Life Airport Security Man
1997 Beverly Hills, 90210 Dan the Bartender Episodes: "Friends, Lovers, and Children" & "Deadline"
Gun Clifford Sutton Episode: All the President's Women
Mad City Bowler #2
1999 Inherit the Wind Sheriff Sam Gibson TV Movie
The X-Files Mayor Gilmore Episode: The Rain King
2000 ER Mr. Groder Episode: Abby Road
2004 Deadwood Jay Johnson Episode: The Trial of Jack McCall
2005 McBride: The Chameleon Murder Det. Jake Fitzsimmons TV Movie
Over There Lon Episode: Weapons of Mass Destruction
2009 Criminal Minds Trent Episode: Pleasure Is My Business
2013–2021 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Hitchcock Main Cast; 147 episodes
2016 Advance & Retreat Dan TV Movie
2017 There's...Johnny! Lyle Episode: The Getaway
2023 Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. Gordon Episode: Black Cloud, White Cloud

References

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  1. ^ a b "Dirk Blocker - Credits", TV Guide
  2. ^ "Dirk Blocker Biography (1957–)". www.filmreference.com.
  3. ^ a b "Dirk Blocker" TCM
  4. ^ a b c "Dirk Blocker" Apple TV database
  5. ^ Brode, Douglas (2010-01-01). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. pp. 14, 197–198. ISBN 978-0-292-78331-7.
  6. ^ DETECTIVE MICHAEL HITCHCOCK
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