The Guardian- Biography:
Dabney Coleman / Burton Fallin

The Guardian Character: Burton Fallin (2001- )

Birth Date: January 3, 1932

Birth Place: Austin, Texas, USA

Current Home: Brentwood, California, USA

Divorce 1: Ann Courtney Harrell (1957 - 1959)

Divorce 2: Jean Hale (1961 - 1983)

Children: 3 children with Jean

Service: Served 2 years in the Army's Special Services Division

Missed Roles: Auditioned for the role of The Professor in "Gilligan's Island."

Schooling: Attended The University of Texas at Austin in early '50s. Was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute as a member of the Class of 1953...left after two years but wound up studying law at the University of Texas and then theater in New York.

Flimography: Click here! to read about his other roles

About Dabney: Emmy Award-winning actor Dabney Coleman plays the key role of Burton Fallin, Nick’s demanding but good-hearted father in THE GUARDIAN, the new one-hour drama from Columbia TriStar Television, airing Tuesday nights, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Series creator David Hollander met with many actors, but Coleman was the solid choice for the role of Burton. "His character is a man who’s not going to change a whole lot throughout the story," says Hollander, and Coleman possesses the "inspired power" required to play Burton. "Dabney is intimidating, inviting and scary all at the same time."

Hollander’s assessment, of course, speaks to Coleman’s versatility – the hallmark of his long and successful career in TV and movies. Having made his mark on television with very noteworthy comedic roles, Coleman’s extensive list of television credits include Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated starring roles in "The Slap Maxwell Story" and the acclaimed "Buffalo Bill," as well as the NBC series "Madman of the People."

Coleman’s career as a TV regular began with "That Girl" and continued with the landmark ‘70s series "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman." But, his real breakthrough came with his role as the chauvinist boss in the 1980 theatrical film "9 to 5," starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Coleman’s numerous film credits include "Tootsie," "War Games," “Inspector Gadget,” "On Golden Pond," and “You’ve Got Mail.

Working steadily and enjoying success in both movies and television, Coleman has received multiple Emmy nominations, and received the award for the telefilm "Sworn to Silence." He will be seen in the 2002 theatrical release "Babies in Black" with Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon. Of course, the ever-versatile Coleman can also be heard as the voice of Principal Prickly in the Disney animated series "Recess," and the recently released motion picture “Recess: School’s Out.

A native Texan, born in Austin and raised in Corpus Christi, Coleman currently resides in Los Angeles. His birthdate is January 3.

About Burton: Nick's father, Burton Fallin founded Fallin & Associates in 1971.