Larry Bryggman

Arvid Laurence Bryggman (born December 21, 1938) is an American actor. He is known for playing the role of Dr. John Dixon on the CBS Daytime soap opera ''As the World Turns'' (1969 to 2004, 2010). He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''As the World Turns'' in 1984 and 1987. He received six other Daytime Emmy Award nominations. He has had roles in many theatrical productions, including ''Ulysses in Nighttown'' (1974), ''The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel'' (1977), '' Prelude to a Kiss'' (1990), ''Picnic'' (1994), ''Proof'' (2000), '' Romance'' (2005), '' Festen'' (2006), and '' Harvey'' (2012). He has received two Tony Award nominations and won two Obie Awards. He has also appeared in the films '' ...And Justice for All'' (1979), '' Hanky Panky'' (1982), '' Die Hard with a Vengeance'' (1995) and ''Spy Game'' (2001).

Early life

Bryggman was born on December 21, 1938 in Concord, California. He was raised in Oakland. He is of Swedish descent. His father worked for a neon sign company and his mother was a piano teacher. Bryggman learned to play the piano, drums and various woodwinds, including the bassoon. He also learned to play the accordion, at his father's request.

He graduated from Piedmont High School. He attended the City College of San Francisco, earning a Bachelor's Degree.

Career

1959-1969: ''As the World Turns''

Bryggman moved to New York in 1959. In the early 1960s, he co-starred with Mildred Dunnock and Albert Dekker in a touring production of ''Death of a Salesman''. He made his off-Broadway debut in 1962, appearing on stage in ''A Summer Ghost''. He played a police sergeant in ''Live Like Pigs'' and Pozzo in ''Waiting for Godot'', both produced by the Theater Company of Boston. He spent five years as a principal member of the company.

In 1969, Bryggman made his debut at the New York Shakespeare Festival, performing in ''Mod Donna''. He co-starred with Elke Sommer in a touring production of the musical '' Irma La Douce''. On television, he had a brief role on '' Love Is a Many Splendored Thing''.

Bryggman was cast as Dr. John Dixon on the CBS soap opera ''As the World Turns,'' first airing on July 18, 1969. He was initially only supposed to appear in three episodes, but the show's producers saw potential in the character and he was offered a contract. In his early years on the show, John was a villain who blackmailed and raped his wife, Kim Sullivan Hughes (then known as Kim Dixon). Bryggman was confronted by angry fans when he was out in public, including a woman who almost hit him in front a supermarket. The character was eventually redeemed and became a trusted doctor in the fictional city of Oakdale.

1972-1979: ''...And Justice for All''

Bryggman appeared on Broadway in ''The Lincoln Mask'' in 1972. He also appeared in the short film ''The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope'' (1972). In 1974, he had multiple roles in the Broadway play ''Ulysses in Nighttown'', directed by Burgess Meredith and co-starring Zero Mostel. He had a role in the television film ''Strike Force'' (1975). He played Dr. Sheldon Henning in the original Broadway production of '' Checking Out''. The play ran from September 14 to September 25, 1976 at the Longacre Theatre in New York.

In February 1977, Bryggman played Frank Schaeffer in '' Marco Polo Sings a Solo'' at The Public Theater, co-starring with Madeline Kahn. He played Kress in a Broadway revival of ''The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel,'' co-starring with Al Pacino. The play ran from April 24 to September 3, 1977 at the Longacre Theatre. In December 1977, he appeared in '' Two Small Bodies'' at Playwrights Horizons.

In February 1978, he played the Guard in the play ''Museum'' at The Public Theater. He was cast as Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby in a Broadway revival of ''Richard III'', co-starring again with Al Pacino. The play ran from June 10 to July 15, 1979 at the Cort Theatre. Bryggman played Warren Fresnell in the drama film '' ...And Justice for All'' (1979), co-starring with Pacino a third time. In October 1979, he played Fool in ''The Winter Dancers'' at the Phoenix Theatre.

1981-1987: ''Hanky Panky''

In 1981, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''As the World Turns''. In November 1981, he appeared in ''The Resurrection of Lady Lester'' at the Manhattan Theatre Club. For his work on ''As the World Turns'', he received another Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1982. Bryggman played Stacy in the comedy film '' Hanky Panky'' (1982), directed by Sidney Poitier and co-starring with Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. In January 1983, he played Arturo in ''The Modern Ladies of Guanabacoa'' at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.

In 1984, Bryggman won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''As the World Turns''. In November 1984, he appeared in ''The Ballad of Soapy Smith'' at The Public Theater. In March 1985, Bryggman appeared as Bijou in the play ''Walk the Dog, Willie''. In May 1985, he played Hank in ''Life Under Water'' at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, co-starring with Jill Eikenberry. Bryggman received another Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for his work on ''As the World Turns''.

He appeared in ''Rum and Coke'' at The Public Theater in January 1986. He was nominated again for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''As the World Turns''. In December 1986, he played multiple roles in ''Bodies, Rest and Motion'' at the Newhouse Theater. In 1987, Bryggman won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''ATWT''. In November 1987, he appeared in ''Blood Sports'' at the Perry Street Theater in New York.

1988-1994: ''Picnic''

In May 1988, Bryggman appeared as Andrew in the play ''Spoils of War,'' co-starring with Kate Nelligan. In November 1988, he played Sicinius Vellutus in ''Coriolanus'' at The Public Theater, co-starring with Christopher Walken. In 1988 and 1989, he received Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on ''As the World Turns''.

In January 1990, he played Banquo in ''Macbeth'' at The Public Theater. He played Dr. Boyle in the original Broadway production of '' Prelude to a Kiss'', co-starring with Mary-Louise Parker. The play ran from April 29 to May 19, 1990 at the Hayes Theater. In February 1991, he played the title role in ''Henry IV, Part 1'' and ''Henry IV, Part 2'' at The Public Theater. In October 1991, he appeared as Robert Mohr in the play '' The White Rose''. In July 1992, he played Duke Frederick in ''As You Like It'' at the Delacorte Theater.

In 1993, he received an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Work for his theatrical performances. Bryggman was cast as Howard Bevans in the original Broadway production of ''Picnic'', co-starring with Ashley Judd and Kyle Chandler. The play ran from March 30 to May 29, 1994 at Criterion Center Stage Right. For his work in the show, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

1995-2001: ''Proof''

In July 1995, he played Alonso in ''The Tempest'' at the Delacorte Theater. He appeared as Arthur Cobb in the action film '' Die Hard with a Vengeance'', co-starring with Bruce Willis. Bryggman played twins Harry and Alfred Baker in ''New England'' at the Manhattan Theatre Club in November 1995. He played Tom in ''The Ride Down Mount Morgan'' at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in July 1996. Bryggman appeared in the film '' Looking for Richard'', written and directed by Al Pacino.

In July 1997, Bryggman played the Duke of Buckingham in ''Henry VIII'' at The Public Theater. In June 1998, he appeared as Herman Glogauer in ''Once in a Lifetime'' for the Atlantic Theater Company. In November 1998, he played Ray Armstrong in ''Wolf Lullaby'' for the same company. He appeared in '' The Hothouse'', another production for the Atlantic Theater Company, in February 1999.

Bryggman was cast as Robert in the original Broadway production of ''Proof'', co-starring again with Mary-Louise Parker. The play opened in previews on October 10, 2000 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Bryggman left the production on June 10, 2001. He was replaced in the role with Patrick Tovatt, his ''As the World Turns'' co-star. For his work in the show, Bryggman was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He was also nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play. In 2001, he also appeared as Troy Folger in the action film ''Spy Game'', co-starring with Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. He guest starred on ''Law & Order''.

2003-2005: Leaving ''ATWT''

In June 2003, he played Emil in ''A Bad Friend'' at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. He guest starred on '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' in 2003. He starred as Jon in ''Roulette'' at the John Houseman Theater in February 2004. In October 2004, he appeared in '' Twelve Angry Men'' at the American Airlines Theatre.

In December 2004, it was announced that Bryggman would be leaving the role of John Dixon on ''As the World Turns''. Due to budget cuts, he had reportedly been offered recurring status, which he declined. His last airdate was December 14, 2004. In June 2005, he played Gayev in ''The Cherry Orchard'' for the Atlantic Theater Company.

In 2005, Bryggman starred as the Judge in the Atlantic Theater Company's off-Broadway and Los Angeles productions of the David Mamet farce '' Romance.'' For his work in the play, he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play. He also received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play and won an Obie Award.

2006-present

He returned to Broadway, starring as Helge in an original production of '' Festen''. The play ran from March 23, 2006 to May 20, 2006 at the Music Box Theatre. He co-starred with Julianna Margulies. In March 2007, he played the Earl of Gloucester in ''King Lear'' at The Public Theater. In July 2007, he starred as Hank in ''Surface to Air'' at Symphony Space. In June 2008, he played the Man in '' Occupant'' at the Peter Norton Space, co-starring with Mercedes Ruehl. He co-starred with Debra Monk in ''Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing'' at the Vineyard Playhouse in September 2008.

He played Salty in the comedy film ''Side by Each'' (2008), co-starring with Blythe Danner. In May 2009, he appeared as Smith in the play ''Groundswell.'' In March 2010, he appeared in ''Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers'' at the New York Theatre Workshop. Beginning on August 27, 2010, Bryggman returned to ''ATWT'' for 12 of the final 16 episodes, as the show finished its run on September 17, 2010. For these final episodes of the series, it was explained that Dixon had been working at Johns Hopkins for an undisclosed period of time, but had been asked by Dr. Reid Oliver to return to Oakdale Memorial to consult on the ailing Christopher Hughes.

In November 2010, Bryggman starred in Harold Pinter's '' The Collection'' and '' A Kind of Alaska'' at the Classic Stage Company. In June 2011, he performed in the Atlantic Theater Company's ''10x25'' festival of ten-minute plays. He guest starred on ''The Good Wife'' in 2011. He starred in ''CQ/CX'' at the Peter Norton Space in February 2012. Bryggman played Judge Omar Gaffney in a Broadway revival of '' Harvey'', co-starring with Jim Parsons. The play ran from May 18, 2012 to August 5, 2012 at Studio 54.

Bryggman starred as Lyman Wyeth in '' Other Desert Cities'' at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage in May 2013. He guest starred on ''Person of Interest'' in 2013. In December 2013, he joined a play reading of Alexander Ostrovsky's ''Too Clever By Half,'' co-starring with Jonathan Groff and Grace Gummer. Bryggman appeared in ''Father Comes Home From the Wars'' at The Public Theater in March 2014. In February 2017, he starred as Lou in the play ''If I Forget'' for the Roundabout Theatre Company. The production was recorded by BroadwayHD and became available On Demand. Bryggman guest starred on ''The Blacklist'' and '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' in 2019.

Personal life

In 1960, Bryggman had a relationship with a woman he met while working in summer theater in Massachusetts. They had a daughter, whom he first met when she came to see him perform in ''The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel'' in 1977.

He was married to dancer Barbara Creed and they had two sons, born in 1966 and 1970. They later divorced.

Bryggman married his ''As the World Turns'' co-star, Jacqueline Schultz, in 1982. They divorced in 1987.

He married Tracey Hanley Bryggman, an assistant director on ''Guiding Light,'' in the late 1990s. They have a son, born in 2000, and a daughter, born in 2003.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryggman, Larry
1938 births
Living people
American people of Swedish descent
American male stage actors
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male soap opera actors
Daytime Emmy Award winners
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winners
Male actors from California
City College of San Francisco alumni