Where are they now: DANE WITHERSPOON

Dane Witherspoon is born December 27, 1957 in Denton, Texas.

After getting his acting degree from ACT, Dane went to Hollywood in 1980 where he landed small roles in THE WALTONS and EIGHT IS ENOUGH. In 1984, he made his soap opera debut as the original Joe Perkins on SANTA BARBARA. Three months later, Dane was replaced by Mark Arnold because the SB producers decided he wasn’t right for the role. Witherspoon met his ex-wife, actress Robin Wright, when they auditioned for their SANTA BARBARA roles. They were wed from 1986 to 1988.

This decision left fans bewildered, but Dane soon returned to daytime as Tyler McCandless on CAPITOL. He played this part from 1985 to 1986. Though he continued to work as an actor for a few more years (his last work as an actor was in the 1997 TV movie ASTEROID), Dane eventually retired from the profession and started making gourmet ice cream LIKS in Denver, Colorado.

Today Dane is 56 years old and has two sons with his second ex-wife, Tracy Shaffer.

UPDATE: Dane Witherspoon passed away March, 29 2014.

Succes of SANTA BARBARA is up to DANE WITHERSPOON

- Miami News_ September 1, 1984 - 

If the new NBC soaper “Santa Barbara” catches on, credit the kids. The majestic Dame Judith Anderson may give the afternoon drama veneer, but her presence is fleeting. So far, her major contribution to the area is a homegrown avocado with the Anderson profile implanted on the skin. No, those gangly California kids, raised in the sun, lurching about, guided by emotion since their brains remain untrained, epitomize life in the elegant California beach town, the jewel of the West. Happy-go-lucky Ted Capwell, running off to savor Hollywood and girls, ought to attract Midwestern kids with his friendly puppy dog manner and good looks. That’s what they grow on California beaches, by the hundreds. One to be taken seriously is Joe Perkins, the oil rigger’s son, the ex-con accused of murdering an offspring of the powerful Capwell tribe. Even Joe’s dad walks out of the house when son comes home to find the real culprit. At the outset, Joe Perkins carries the soaper, the sneered-upon hero, the good guy who must prove himself. If Joe brings yawns, SB sinks.

So the burden is upon Dane (Joe) Witherspoon, the Texas boy, raised in the oil business, an All-American type always on the high school podium gathering in the awards. But Dane sounds like one of the show’s characters, rejecting the oil business for the actor’s life in San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater (ACT). Soon Dane is in L.A. playng the nice, earnest youth on “The Waltons” and “Eight is Enough”. 

Instead of growing soft, enjoying the attention, Dane felt dissatisfied and pulled out of town, returning to join Dad back in Michigan exploring oil and gas sites. “I travelled around with my Dad checking out oil leases in courthouses and libraries,” Dane recalls. “It was mostly time by myself, something I needed.”

Soon Dane was back in New York, making the acting rounds, auditioning and failing, a man who had found his calling and would continue regardless of the rebuffs.

In Los Angeles, Whiterspoon and a friend decided to make and sell costume jewelry to survive. After the business took off, along came the role of Joe Perkins. Just in time. Witherspoon is a fan of rock musician Bruce Springsteen. His hero is coming to town to give one of his lifechanging, heart-stopping four-hour concerts. And those tickets cost money. Will Dane have to work late on opening night? Witherspoon laughs: “I’ll get there somehow.” He has his priorities straight. 

NICOLAS COSTER to star on MY SYNTHETIZED LIFE

Daytime Soap Legend Nicolas Coster (Lionel Lockridge on SANTA BARBARA) is more active and tireless than ever! After starring in the web series THE BAY, now he is one of the stars of the new comedy web series MY SYNTHETIZED LIFE, created, written, directed and executive produced by Nate Golon. Brent Bailey stars as Jimmy, a young office worker whose voice is suddenly transformed in a freak accident by his radio during a rap song, resulting in his voice becoming fully synthesized. While most people look down on him, his roommate Steve and Steve’s sister Liz help him to embrace the new powers and advantages that his new voice provides.

The show also has an impressive supporting cast, including Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (KING OF THE HILL, AMERICAN DAD!, RETIRED AT 35), Stacey Oristano (BUNHEADS, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS), Katie LeClerc (SWITCHED AT BIRTH), Barrett Foa (NCIS: LOS ANGELES).

That’s enough chat, now it’s time to look at our beloved Lionel in action! Warning, the series can be addictive.