A Diagnosis of Murder

About this Broadcast

Feature-length pilot of the TV series Diagnosis Murder. Dr Sloan investigates when a friend is accused of murder - and the case proves complex as no less than three of the dead man's employees had a motive to do away with him. Detective drama, starring Dick Van Dyke, Barry Van Dyke and Cynthia Gibb

1992

Detective/Thriller Movie/Drama

Cast & Crew

Dick Van Dyke (Actor) .. Dr Mark Sloan

Barry Van Dyke (Actor) .. Det Steve Sloan

Cynthia Gibb (Actor) .. Amanda Bentley

Marriette Hartley (Actor) .. Kate Hamilton

Bill Bixby (Actor) .. Nick Osborne

Ken Kercheval (Actor) .. Frank Stevens

William Atherton (Actor) .. Eric Walker

Brynn Thayer (Actor) .. Anna Clifford

Vernee Watson-Johnson (Actor) .. Esther Wiggins

Christopher Hibler (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

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.