From the 1984 Newsletter...
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OFFICIAL DIRK BENEDICT
INTERNATIONAL FAN CLUB

1984 CLUB JOURNAL

Many people compare your characters, "Starbuck" and "Face", finding numerous similarities. How do you view their comparison?
“The characters are so fundamentally the same that the only real differences arise merely because of the differences in the two shows, BG vs A-TEAM. Starbuck was much more developed and multi-dimensional than what I do on A-T. I was the main character of many shows then, now there are four of us and it is strictly comedic and one dimensional. A-T is very much shoot-em bang, bang. There is very little character development written. Whatever is there happens between the lines. You don't really KNOW very much about Face, or any of the others for that matter, we are just four wild, funny, crazy guys. Action and comedy. Starbuck did many more things.”

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What form of relaxation helps you unwind after a long hard week of filming?
"Flying my airplane, playing the piano, basketball, fishing.”

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Are you allowed to perform any of the numerous stunts performed on the A-Team?
“Oh yes, we all do our own fights. I also ask and usually get to do any required running, jumping, etc. As you will see in the two hour premiere show for next season. When there is a high jump or any other activity of a dangerous nature we have nothing to do with it. We have many of the best stunt men in the business. They love our show as it gives them such great chances to do their thing."

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Every now and then most actors make mistakes during a "take" --- could you tell us which is your favorite or most memorable blooper?
"Most "outtakes",of which we have many in the course of each day, are impossible to communicate via the written word. They are mostly visual and only funny in regard to what was supposed to happen. It is one of the ways we keep ourselves amused during our fourteen hour days. It is a very funny, wild and noisy set. Not for the faint of heart."

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Several years ago, there was mention of a possible recording contract. Are you still interested in pursuing a musical career?
"Not in any recording capacity. I do play the piano and trombone and want to begin playing with a group. Dixieland Jazz on the trombone was my first love."

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When you see a friend performing on screen, does it make critiquing the piece more difficult?
“I very seldom go to the movies as a critic. No matter who’s in it! I go with a very non-judgmental frame of mind and to enjoy the experience at whatever level it happens. There is something to be found that is good in almost every film."

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Can you recommend some good books on the subject of Macrobiotics?
'The Book of Macrobiotics by Michio Kushi; Cooking for Life by Michel Abhsera; The Cancer Prevention Diet by Michio Kushi; You Are All San-paku -y William Dufty; The Book of Judgement- by George Oshzawa: Any and all writings by Kushi; Sugar Blues by 'William Dufty; Kamikaze Cowboy by What's His Face."

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When your book is released, are you planning a promotional tour?
"Certainly I will tour to promote the sale of the book. So that the book will put an end to the hundreds of letters I get wanting to know how I feel about food and how I 'cured' myself of cancer with diet. They can read the book."

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When you 'retire' from acting, if you ever do, and set off to accomplish the ambitions you've yet to achieve; will we, your fans, still be able to keep in touch with you through your fan club?
"Oh I think so to some extent. I'm sure that when that time comes and as the years go by and I become more and more 'forgotten' it will be only the really genuine follower of my life that will be interested and it will be much easier to communicate with a smaller number of people. Although I DO plan to sink, sometime in this life, back into COMPLETE anonymity."

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Is there any particular philosopher or mystic whose ideas or writings you admire?
"My father first and foremost. Since then I have been my own philosopher and mystic. Something I think we should all do more of .... be our own best friend, our own source of entertainment, our own doctor and YES, the star of our own lives. I do like Henry Miller and Kushi and the Greek writer, Nikos Kazanzakis. Lao Tzu is my absolute favorite however. But for the most part, my favorite philosopher and certainly mystic is myself. Think of the money I save on books!
I've always been more interested in doing something myself than watching and/or reading about somebody else doing it. I'd rather play a mediocre piano than listen to Rubinstein play an excellent one. I would rather be in a community play than go watch somebody else on Broadway. I wish more people would become active in their own lives and stop watching other people live theirs. Life is movement, action certainly when in the prime of one’s life. Old age should be the time for reflection and more passive ways of enjoying this lifetime."