Angeline Dickinson, popularly known as Angie, is an American actress, and her television career lasted many decades. In the early 1950s, she began performing on anthology series before landing a part in “Gun the Man Down.” You may also recall her from the Golden Globe-winning film “Rio Bravo.”
Dickinson remained busy throughout the ’60s and ’70s, appearing in several films like “Jessica,” “The Chase,” “The Outside Man,” “The Art of Love,” “The Killers,” “Ocean’s 11” (the 1964 version starring Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean), “Pretty Maids All in a Row,” and many more.
But, her most notable role of all time was as Sgt. Pepper Anderson in “Police Woman.” She was the first woman to portray the main character in a television drama. It was a big success, and her persona encouraged a whole generation of younger women to become police officers.
In the early 1970s, it was “unusual” to see a woman wearing a uniform, according to the actress. You must realize that series like “Law & Order” and “CSI” did not have all the amazing female characters of today.
Yet Dickinson demonstrated that a woman could be brave enough for the role, and real women aspired to be like her portrayal. In the PBS series “Pioneers of Television,” the actress discussed her role and the audience’s fascination with crime dramas.
Yet, Angie never considered herself as a “feminist.” She has never raced against males and believes that the movement was sparked by a competitive spirit. Although questionable, the actress described how she maintained a balance between her femininity and her strength.
Dickinson said she was “satisfied” with the money she got for some projects when asked about the wage gap that has always existed between men and women in the entertainment industry and many other fields. But, it was a different era.
Dickinson also said that “Police Woman” was unable to demonstrate more. The actress believed that the show was “too clean.” Looking back, she dislikes the beautiful endings and lack of violence in every episode.
Dickinson was unafraid of gore, blood, or breaking boundaries because she wished to show more negative repercussions for the bad people. She feels that contemporary series, such as “Southland” and “Detroit 1-8-7,” use these stories more effectively.
At the height of the show’s popularity, Dickinson got several emails from admirers who aspired to become police officers due to her. Angie was not just a role model for future female police officers. She was a role model for actresses in Hollywood.
Dickinson was almost 40 years old during the filming of “Police Woman,” and she worked harder than younger actors of the time. In addition, her beauty never diminished as she grew older.
Individuals were constantly captivated by her, which is why she was a Rat Pack companion. She allegedly had a 10-year romance with Frank Sinatra after co-starring with him in “Ocean’s 11.” There have also been rumours that she dated Dean Martin and former president John F. Kennedy.
You may recall her legendary appearance in the 2001 film “Ocean’s 11” with George Clooney. She is a legend among Hollywood actors for this reason.
Regrettably, Dickinson has a few qualms about her most prominent job. In 2020, she was questioned about her experience on “Police Woman.” When Angie was first given the role, she wanted to “vomit.”
According to the actress, the endeavour was “terrifying.” Back then, each season consisted of 20 or 21 episodes, which was exhausting. The actress informed the show runners that she would only give them four years.
The actress worked for four years but stated she was underpaid and now regrets doing so. Angie said that the experience wasted years of her life and wasn’t worth it.
Dickinson claimed, when questioned about why she accepted the part, that David Gerber promised her it might make her a household celebrity. The actress desired it at the time, yet things change as individuals acquire perspective.
Angie Dickinson was twice married. Gene Dickinson was her first spouse, and their union lasted from 1952 until 1960. The actress went on to work with Burt Bacharach. She was with the famed composer from 1965 until 1981. Also, it was Bacharach’s second marriage.
They welcomed their daughter, Nikki, the couple’s first child. In 1966, she was born preterm, around three months early. Years later, Bacharach disclosed that Nikki was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a kind of autism sometimes described as “high-functioning autism.”
Nikki studied geology at Cal Lutheran University; however, her poor vision prevented her from pursuing a profession. Regrettably, her parents were forced to place her in a treatment facility, where she spent 10 years.
Tragically, she killed herself at her Thousand Oaks apartment in 2007. Nikki had reached age 40. According to the public declaration, she did it to escape the ravages in her mind.
Burt Bacharach passed away on February 8, 2023, at the age of 94. Although the composer had four children, Angie had just one. They were no longer together for several reasons, including the composer’s adultery.
Burt admitted in his memoirs to having an affair with the actress. Angie once stated that he had never loved her in a conventional manner. His particular method of loving others was not the finest. Hence, he had no regard for her, and she said yes when asked whether she loved him.
These days, Dickinson is seldom seen outside of her house. She is spending her golden years quietly and out of the spotlight. On the few instances she has been glimpsed, the paparazzi have photographed a healthy and composed lady. That’s outstanding for her age.
A few years before her 90th birthday, cameras noticed her collecting her mail in front of her residence. 2004’s “Elvis Has Left the Building” was Angie’s last film role, while 2009’s “Mending Fences” was her final television appearance.
Since then, she has appeared in documentaries and news stories, including the PBS documentary “I’ve Gotta Be Me” about Sammy Davis, Jr. A few years ago, at the age of 79, the actress described herself as fortunate.
When questioned about retiring since her last job was in 2009, Angie said that she did not desire grandmother roles. She said that staying at home is preferable. Dickinson examined other options, including theater and a one-woman show.
Yet, traveling may be difficult for women since looking beautiful requires considerable effort. Also, creating films is too complex to do something you won’t love.
In 2008, she sat next to Clint Eastwood at an event in Beverly Hills, and he chuckled about how makeup artists no longer worried about him. At the time, Dickinson informed him that you grow so accustomed to being in makeup and having stylists that you feel naked without it.
The actress has a reputation for talking frankly and being a touch wicked. She was also mysterious. She said that the lack of personal disclosure was likely the reason why publishers were not interested in a book.
Her life now seems tranquil at her lovely Beverly Hills house. LA Magazine writer Alexandra Becket said that she was Dickinson’s cat sitter since she grew up in a celebrity-filled area. She referred to Angie as the kindest neighbour she could hope for.
Angie claimed that she did not feel her age at age 79. She enjoys walking and cycling in the neighbourhood. But, she said that she no longer feels seductive. Her idea of seductiveness has evolved significantly over the years.
In addition, she detested being compared to the late Betty White, who worked until her death in 2021, and was never envious of her recurring parts. Dickinson has shown no interest.
Despite the devastating death of her daughter and her divorce from Burt Bacharach, Angie had many lovely years with them.
When Angie and Burt met in 1965, she was already well-known in the business, while Bacharach was still unknown. He ultimately composed songs for Dionne Warwick and Butch Cassidy, which altered their relationship.
Angie had to take a back seat as he got more busy. She was not resentful, though, since she desired to be a good mother and wife. She often denied parts if they were too distant from her home and turned down a few television projects before “Police Woman.”
She negotiated a consistent schedule for this contract, which had to stop at 6 p.m. so she could return home to her family. Nevertheless, it was not always that successful. Angie was required to be a “supermom.”
On her way home, the actress had to pick up Italian takeout so they could dine on time. Bacharach reportedly informed her that she was very furious at the time. Dickinson did not comprehend his meaning until many years later.
She saw every little error as a major issue and chastised herself. Sadly, this also harmed their marriage. Angie changed after many years, but it was too late for their family. Dickinson still wonders whether being a working mother in Hollywood was worthwhile and if her husband might have loved her more if she had been a housewife.
Regrettably, there is a double standard, since males are not affected by this condition. They may work nonstop and be gone from home constantly. Dickinson battled to fulfill the roles of mom, wife, and actress.
In the end, this resulted in a major separation during which they each dated other individuals for five years while being formally married. Eventually, they divorced and moved on. Nonetheless, Dickinson kept images of him in her house at all times. Considering that he was the dad of her kid, he could never completely depart from her life.
Nikki shared Burt’s passion for music and used to play the drums. Angie appreciated her strength and independence. They had several disagreements, particularly when Nikki temporarily joined a religious cult at age 14, yet they resolved their problems.
In addition, Nikki was diametrically opposed to her mom. She told her she would never be as feminine as the actress since she did not apply cosmetics. Still, they had a lovely relationship, and Angie always desired having her close.
She took Nikkie to Hawaii in order to film “Pearl.” Nevertheless, when swimming at Diamond Head, they were swept up in a riptide and struck a coral reef. At the moment, the actress believed they were going to die.
Fortunately, she managed to keep her daughter above water and ultimately reach safety. She was afterwards left with a scar on her leg. Dickinson said that she would never forget the horrible event.
As a preterm infant, Nikki had several issues, such as vision abnormalities and autism. Occasionally, she got physical with her mom. Yet Angie understood her anger. Because of this, her daughter chose to end her life. The actress said, she was a beautiful, marvellous gift.
Nikki once compared her father’s songs to “going to heaven on a velvet slide” to illustrate how well-spoken individuals with Asperger’s syndrome are. Yet when Nikki’s requirements became more demanding, Angie had to abandon her rigorous regimen.
After Nikki departed, Angie found support in her pals, notably Gregory Peck’s wife, Veronique, who knew Tony Kushner. The actress found peace in one of the playwright’s plays about losing someone in his family.
