Diagnosis Murder - Flashdance with Death - 4:00 pm Thursday, January 22 on Great! Mystery

Dick Van Dyke (Actor) .. Dr Mark Sloan

Born: December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri

Best Known For: Mary Poppins.

Early-life: Richard Wayne Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri, but was raised in Danville, Illinois. He became interested in show business at an early age after watching Laurel and Hardy movies at his local cinema. Stan Laurel was his hero, and they later became friends. He acted in amateur productions in his teens but, after entering the US Air Force during the Second World War, he ditched plans to become a performer, toyed with the idea of being a minister, then set up an advertising agency.

Career: After his business failed, Van Dyke was a radio announcer for a local station and performed comedy routines. His popularity led to him being signed by CBS. After making his TV acting debut in The Phil Silvers Show, he hosted several long-forgotten game shows before hitting the big time with Broadway hits The Girls Against the Boys and Bye Bye Birdie. That led to The Dick Van Dyke Show, which was a smash hit and ran for five years. Among his other famous projects are Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Van Dyke and Company, and Diagnosis Murder. He continues to act.

Quote: "I never wanted to be an actor and to this day I don't. I can't get a handle on it. An actor wants to become someone else. I am a song-and-dance man and I enjoy being myself, which is all I can do."

Trivia: He overcame alcoholism in the 1970s and was a heavy smoker for 50 years.

Scott Baio (Actor) .. Dr Jack Stewart

Born: September 22, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York, United States

Victoria Rowell (Actor) .. Amanda Bentley

Barry Van Dyke (Actor) .. Steve Sloan

Delores Hall (Actor) .. Delores

Michael Tucci (Actor) .. Norman Briggs

Elizabeth Berkley (Actor) .. Shannon

Born: July 28, 1972 in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Best Known For: Box-office flop Showgirls.

Early-life: Born on July 28, 1972, in Michigan. At the age of five, Elizabeth's parents enrolled her at Detroit Dance Company. She took part in several ballets, including Swan Lake. She auditioned for the 1982 film version of Annie, but was turned down because she was too tall. Elizabeth starred in assorted musicals and made her TV debut in the 1987 TV movie Frog. She also featured in small-screen projects Platinum Blonde and Day by Day.

Career: In 1989, Berkley landed a key role in TV series Saved by the Bell. She quit the show after four years to concentrate on her film career, and landed the lead role in notorious movie Showgirls, which was savaged by the critics. However, she redeemed herself with roles in The First Wives Club, Any Given Sunday and The Real Blonde. She gave a fine turn on the London stage in 1999 production Lenny, and provided able support in the movies Roger Dodger and Moving Malcolm. She made her Broadway debut in the 2004 production Sly Fox, and impressed critics with off-Broadway show Hurlyburly.

Quote: "After Showgirls, I really wanted to surround myself with the best people. I wanted to build it that way instead of doing flashy roles just like Showgirls, which would have hurt me."

Trivia: Away from acting, she runs workshops around America with school and youth groups, and she is a committed animal rights activist.

William Katt (Actor) .. Roland

Kristoff St John (Actor) .. Sammy

Kim Johnston Ulrich (Actor) .. Barbara

Craig Richard Nelson (Actor) .. Thatcher

Lorry Goldman (Actor) .. Talbot

Diagnosis Murder: Flashdance with Death

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Thursday, January 22 on Great! Mystery (50)

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Flashdance with Death
Season 1, Episode 11

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