An 80s television police drama star who also made his mark in professional football was seen during a rare public outing in Los Angeles this week, drawing attention for how little he seems to have changed at 79.
Best known for playing Detective Sgt. Rick Hunter in the hit series Hunter, the veteran actor was spotted walking through the upscale Pacific Palisades in a relaxed sweatshirt and grey joggers, still appearing athletic and composed. Despite his age, he carried himself with the same physical presence that once defined both his screen career and his earlier life on the field.
Before becoming a television mainstay, he was an NFL standout, spending 13 seasons with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. His football legacy remains notable, including a rare record as the only player in league history to score two safeties in a single game.
After retiring from sports, he transitioned into acting with surprising ease, eventually landing his signature role in Hunter alongside Stepfanie Kramer. Around the same time, he was briefly considered for the lead role of Sam Malone in Cheers, a part that ultimately went to Ted Danson.
Although he missed out on that iconic sitcom role, he later made several guest appearances on Cheers, including as a sportscaster and a former teammate of Sam Malone, offering a playful nod to what might have been.
His acting career went on to expand across television and film, with appearances in shows such as CHiPs, Land’s End, and Diagnosis: Murder, as well as a stint in the Marvel universe on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. He also appeared in action films and sports dramas, further cementing his post-NFL Hollywood career.
Off-screen, he married actress Tracy Vaccaro in the 1980s, with whom he shares a daughter, before later divorcing. He has also remained active in the entertainment industry through production work and occasional roles.
The man behind both the helmet and the badge is Fred Dryer, whose rare double career has made him a unique figure in both sports and television history.
