This burly American leading actor later evolved into a character player, able to project manliness, warmth and a sympathetic nature simultaneously. Ken Howard was a leading man in the late 1960s into the 80s, but never seemed to click in a lasting vehicle. In the 80s, he retreated to Harvard, where he taught oral argument at the Law School and theater to undergraduates, declaring he would act only when the role was right. He tore off his hairpiece and overnight moved from playing romantic and strong male parts to fathers, villains, and sometimes weaklings.

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