Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star

Ward, I'm very worried

about Beaver.

Mom's favorite vase.

She always says,

"Don't play ball in the house."

Sit on it, Fonzie.

Hey!

What about me, Mallory?

What about my feelings?

Hey, I knew everything

would be all right.

Dyno-mite!

During the '70s, millions

huddled in front of their TVs

to watch the frothy antics

of The Glimmer Gang.

Little Dickie Roberts

formed the center of the show,

and his crooked smile

and casually tossed off

catch phrases

became the fad of a nation

longing for escapism.

This is his story.

Peggy Roberts

had only one goal in life...

to be in showbiz.

And when she got pregnant,

she felt like

it only slowed her down.

Peggy never said for sure

who the father was,

but the most persistent rumor

concluded

that it was David Soul,

the talented, hunky actor

from Starsky and Hutch.

Don't give up on us, baby...

And on July 2, 1967,

Dickie Roberts

came into the world.

Peggy began auditioning him

for acting parts almost daily.

Here's Peggy Roberts

in a 1989 interview.

When it came to auditions,

I used to dress him up

for the part, whatever it was.

I mean, if they wanted a cowboy,

they got a cowboy.

Even if they wanted a girl,

I'd give them one.

Do you know that he once

auditioned

for Pippi Longstocking?

And he got the part.

I felt so stupid

walking into an office

holding the kid's hand.

It was rough on me.

Then, in 1972, when NBC

created a show called

The Glimmer Gang,

Dickie was cast immediately.

The show became

an instant success

and soon Dickie's picture

was plastered on magazines,

lunch boxes and board games.

And his trademark catch phrase

was everywhere.

This is Nucking Futs!

But after six years of success,

the ratings began to slip.

And just as fast as the Dickie

phenomenon exploded,

it was over.

Dickie's mother,

soon after, left him

and moved out of the area.

He found himself alone.

Here's former Eight is Enough

star Dick Van Patten.

Stardom is really hard

on child actors,

and when you throw in a horrible

stage mother like Peggy Roberts,

poor little Dickie

had no chance.

Nobody would hire

the troubled actor,

and pictures surfaced

of Dickie's odd behavior...

including compulsive

glove wearing.

He had his name legally changed

to "David Soul's Son."

Then, tired of explaining

who David Soul was,

he tried "Hutch's Son."

Later, he changed it again

to the element chart symbols

for fluorine,

titanium and zinc.

Today, Dickie Roberts

is certain

that a showbiz comeback

is in the cards for him.

He is working

as a valet parking cars.

But as everybody knows,

in Hollywood, sometimes your

dreams can come true... again.

This is the story

of Dickie Roberts,

the E! True Hollywood Story.

Hi, everybody, welcome back

to celebrity boxing

with our special

"Quake at the Lake" edition.

Tonight's going

to be an amazing fight.

Our main event is about to begin

and is going to be

the clash of the titans.

Former Webster star

Emmanuel Lewis goes toe-to-toe

with former Glimmer Gang star

Dickie Roberts.

Coming to the ring

in the white trunks,

from The Glimmer Gang,

Dickie...

Roberts!

And now, his opponent,

wearing black trunks,

standing four feet,

three inches,

weighing 92 pounds,

Emmanuel... Lewis!

It's Lewis time.

Lewis time, baby.

It's Lewis, you understand me?

Right now.

Tonight, Lewis time.

Lewis time.

Uh-oh, look.

Lewis, Lewis, Lewis...

When was this guy in the joint?

- You suck.

- Huh?

- What did she just say?

- Did you hear that?

Get down there!

Ow! Let's be friends!

Yeah!

Where you going?

I liked your show.

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