Great Second Act
Fred Dryer’s journey from NFL star to Hollywood leading man is one of the most fascinating second acts in entertainment. Known first for his record-setting NFL football career, Dryer later become a TV icon in the hit series Hunter. The Fred Dryer story is a tale of success across two very different worlds.
Early Life And Football Beginnings
Born in 1946 in Hawthorne, California, Fred Dryer grew up dreaming of athletic success. After excelling at Lawndale High and El Camino Junior College, he earned a scholarship to San Diego State University. There, his performance as a dominant defensive end under coach Don Coryell caught serious attention from NFL scouts.
Fred Dryer: Big Guns for Big Hands - Uffsides Ep. 28 Breakout, Secret Base
Joining The NFL And The New York Giants
In 1969, Dryer was drafted by the New York Giants as the 13th overall pick in the first round. His impact was immediate, earning a starting role as a rookie with a reputation for feasting on opposing quarterbacks. Dryer’s tenacity and speed off the edge earned him recognition as one of the toughest defenders in the National Football League.
Trade To The Los Angeles Rams
In 1972, Dryer was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, a move that saw him return home to his native California. He thrived in the Rams’ defense, known for his aggressive style and instinctive play. Returning to the West Coast also set the stage for the next chapter of his life.
Setting An NFL Record With Two Safeties
On October 21, 1973 in a game against the Green Bay Packers, Dryer made NFL history by recording two safeties in a single game, the only player ever to do so. The record still stands today, a testament to his relentless pursuit of the quarterback and his place among the game’s elite defenders.
Super Bowl Appearance With The Rams
During his time with the Rams, Dryer helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances and an appearance in Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though the Rams fell short in that game, Dryer’s leadership and consistency cemented his reputation as one of the team’s most respected veterans.
Discipline And A Unique Athlete’s Diet
Dryer’s fanaticism about peak performance became legendary. At one point, he reportedly consumed up to 70 raw egg yolks per week to build muscle mass and stamina. Later in life, he shifted over to a leaner diet. He always credited nutrition and self-discipline as key to both his athletic and acting success.
NBC Sports, The Rich Eisen Show (2014–)
Life After Football: A New Dream
Retiring from football in 1981, Dryer briefly worked as a broadcaster before pursuing acting full-time. Determined to reinvent himself, he studied acting intensively and took on smaller roles in television, preparing for a long game of a different kind.
The Audition That Almost Changed TV History
In 1982, Dryer auditioned for the role of Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers. Producers were impressed with his showing, but ultimately decided to go with Ted Danson instead. While Dryer missed out on that role, it proved he had what it took to compete for Hollywood’s top roles.
Landing The Role Of Sgt Rick Hunter
Two years later, Dryer found the perfect fit as tough but principled detective Rick Hunter in NBC’s Hunter. The gritty cop drama debuted in 1984 and quickly became a hit, with Dryer’s trademark mix of intensity and humor balancing the show’s hard-edged tone.
How Hunter Defined Fred Dryer’s Career
As both star and later producer, Dryer helped shape Hunter into a series that blended action, drama, and dark comedy. Defying critical dismissals that the show was little more than a “poor man’s Dirty Harry”, the show ran for seven seasons. In that time it achieved strong ratings and an ongoing syndication success that made Dryer a household name.
The Dynamic Duo: Rick Hunter And DeeDee McCall
One key ingredient in the show’s success was Dryer’s on-screen chemistry with co-star Stepfanie Kramer. As Sgt DeeDee McCall, Kramer brought toughness and intelligence to their partnership, making the pair one of television’s most beloved crime-fighting duos on 80s television.
Stepfanie Kramer’s Influence On The Show
Kramer’s portrayal of McCall broke new ground for female detectives on television. She balanced empathy and grit, creating a strong role model for audiences and complementing Dryer’s commanding presence. Their collaboration was a crucial element that made viewers tune in to Hunter week after week as the 80s went on.
Fred Dryer Behind The Camera
As the show matured, Dryer started directing and producing episodes, taking a more active role in the creative direction of Hunter. He worked closely with writers and producers to fine-tune the show’s customary balance of suspense and humor; Dryer turned out to be as effective behind the camera as he was in front of it.
Hunter’s Lasting Popularity
Hunter concluded its original network run in 1991 but found a second life in syndication for decades. Dryer reprised the role in TV movies and a short-lived 2003 reboot, leaving no doubt about the character’s lasting appeal and his ongoing connection to fans who enjoyed the show’s energy.
The Switch From Athlete To Actor
Dryer has often spoken about the similarities between professional sports and acting. He compared game-day pressure to performing in front of the camera, crediting his football discipline for being able to handle Hollywood’s demands with calm confidence. On the other hand, he’s also spoken of the challenges of being a former athlete as well.
Leaving The Athlete Behind
While Dryer has spoken of how his athletic exploits helped his acting career, he has also spoken frankly about the need for athletes to leave their ego at the door before becoming an actor. It’s a long road to success that starts with the right attitude.
Marriage To Tracey Vaccaro
In 1983, Dryer married model and actress Tracey Vaccaro, best known for her work with Playboy and minor film roles. The couple’s relationship was often in the spotlight, reflecting Dryer’s growing fame. They divorced in 1988 but remained on good terms.
Beyond The Spotlight
Off-camera, Dryer has always led an adventurous life reflecting his curiosity and independent spirit. Early in his NFL career he lived out of a van to save money. Later, he went far beyond just horsing around as Hunter: Dryer built his own successful production company, wrote scripts, and pursued creative projects beyond.
Hunter’s Cultural Impact
Hunter helped set the tone for a wave of gritty TV cop dramas in the years that followed, influencing series like NYPD Blue and Law & Order. Dryer’s portrayal of Rick Hunter helped shape how TV audiences saw tough, moral detectives with human flaws.
NBCUniversal Television, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–)
Stepfanie Kramer’s Later Career
After Hunter, Stepfanie Kramer continued to act, sing, and direct, earning praise for her work in television and theater. Her enduring friendship with Dryer has been frequently noted in interviews, where both speak warmly of their partnership, mutual respect, and shared success.
Fred Dryer’s Reflections On Reinvention
Dryer has said that walking away from football was one of the toughest decisions of his life, but also one of the best. He views his Hollywood career as a second chance to express himself creatively. It was a new kind of challenge demanding the same drive and commitment that made him a gridiron legend.
California Guy
Dryer was once known for surfing and diving off the California coast between football seasons. He’s also been active in charity work supporting youth athletics and continues to make occasional appearances at NFL alumni events and fan conventions.
Legacy As An Actor
Dryer’s impact on television was most visible on Hunter. Aside from that, he helped pioneer the athlete-to-actor transition long before it became commonplace. His success showed that a former professional athlete could carry a major television drama with the right mix of charisma, discipline, and humor.
Legacy As An Athlete
In the world of pro football, Dryer is still remembered for his unmatched record of two safeties in one game, a mark that has stood for over fifty years. His dedication to preparation and performance earned him the respect of teammates and rivals of one of the best NFL teams of the 70s.
MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News, Getty Images
A Man Of Reinvention
While there are many examples of former athletes finding acting after being cut from teams, Fred Dryer is a rare example of an actor who excelled after a long career as a top player. Decades after his NFL days, he still inspires both sports fans and aspiring performers. Whether you remember him as a football player or as Rick Hunter, we can all agree that Fred Dryer was one of the best.
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
You May Also Like:
The Amazing Film Journey Of Carl Weathers
