Darren Dalton

Darren Dalton
Born
Darren Jack Dalton

(1965-02-09) February 9, 1965 (age 59)
Powell, Wyoming, United States
Occupation(s)Film, television actor, writer
Years active1983–2012
Spouse
(m. 1993; div. 2009)

Darren Jack Dalton (born February 9, 1965) is an American actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He is best known for playing Randy the Soc in The Outsiders (1983) and Daryl in Red Dawn (1984),

Life and career

Dalton was born in Powell, Wyoming. Dalton's career began in 1982 when cast as Randy Anderson by Francis Ford Coppola during a nationwide talent search for the teen ensemble The Outsiders.

Dalton rejoined his The Outsiders co-stars C. Thomas Howell and Patrick Swayze in Red Dawn (1984), a story of a group of teenagers fighting Soviet Union troops who had invaded the United States.[1] Dalton portrayed Daryl Bates, the son of the mayor.

After Red Dawn, Dalton's first made-for-television movie was Brotherhood of Justice (1986) as a rebellious teenager, and he appeared in the short-lived TV ensemble drama The Best Times (1985). He also had TV guest appearances in the late 1980s on Highway to Heaven, Quantum Leap, Alien Nation and as General Custer on Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman. Shortly after, he returned to film, including in Dancing in the Forest (1989) and The Wolves (1996).

Turning to screenwriting full-time, Dalton did not appear in other TV shows or movies until 2007's The Stolen Moments of September. He then returned to acting in War of the Worlds 2, Children of the Hunt, Darkroom (which he also executive produced and provided music for), the 3-D zombie thriller Day of the Living and The Day the Earth Stopped which Dalton also wrote and produced, and The Land That Time Forgot, which Dalton adapted from the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1983 The Outsiders Randy Anderson
1984 National Lampoon's Joy of Sex Ed Ingalls
1984 Red Dawn Daryl
1986 Brotherhood of Justice Scottie TV movie
1987 Daddy John Sparks TV movie
1988 Freddy's Nightmares Zach Episode: "Freddy's Tricks and Treats"
1989 Dancing in the Forest Sy
1990 Montana Jimbo TV movie
1992 To Protect and Serve Hall
1994 Scanner Cop Officer Longo
1995 Hourglass Pete the bartender / Dog Man
1996 The Wolves Blackie
1996 Pure Danger Cook
1997 The Big Fall Larry
1997 Sleeping Dogs Dexter
2007 The Stolen Moments of September Det. Scott Kawalski
2008 Darkroom Baron Bradley
2008 War of the Worlds 2 Shackleford
2008 The Day the Earth Stopped Prewitt
2009 The Jailhouse Donnie
2009 The Land That Time Forgot Cole Stevens
2009 Vault of Darkness Malcolm
2009 Children of the Hunt Mayor Paulo
2010 The Auctioneers Tuscon
2012 The Cottage Detective Martin

References

  1. ^ Basinger, Jeanine (May 15, 2003). World War Two combat film. Wesleyan University Press. p. 326. ISBN 978-0-8195-6623-2. Retrieved September 15, 2010.