William Patterson Dunlop

William Patterson Dunlop, Jr., known professionally as William Dunlop, (1951–2009) was a Canadian actor of stage, television, and film. He is best remembered for portraying Chief of Detectives Frank Strenlich in the PTEN television series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues from 1993 through 1997. On stage he had a productive relationship with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival .

Life and career

Born in Montréal, Québec, Dunlop was the son of William Patterson Dunlop, Sr. (1912-1989) and Frances Ina MacGregor Will (1918-1989). His father was born in Montréal of Irish parents, and his mother was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He graduated from Sedbergh School in Montebello, QC. While a student there he studied theatre with Patrick Pettigrew who had a profound impact on his intellectual development.

The majority of Dunlop's career was spent on the stage, particularly at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario.^[1] His performance credits at the Stratford Festival included leading roles in King Lear (1985),^[2] Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1986, alternating performances in both title roles^[3]), Twelfth Night (1985 and 1991),^[4][5][6] Our Town (1991)^[5] and The Taming of the Shrew (1977).^[7]

Dunlop made his film debut in the 1979 horror film The House with Steps.^[8] He did not work in film again until 1995 when he portrayed R.T. in Tommy Boy.^[9] He starred as Frank in Jack Blum's 1998 film Babyface.^[10] On television, Dunlop is best known for his portrayal of Chief of Detectives Frank Strenlich in the main cast of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993–97).^[11] His other television performance included guest roles on Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1989), Top Cops (1992–93), Secret Service (1993), Street Legal (1993, recurring role of Sgt. Lehrer), and Due South (1994-1995).