Wolfgang Bodison
About
Biography
Biography
This tall, physically imposing, black American actor made a powerful and convincing acting debut as a Marine defendant in Rob Reiner's blockbuster court-martial drama, "A Few Good Men" (1992). As Lance Cpl. Dawson, Bodison offered a performance that suggested an emotional volcano smoldering behind his crisp military reserve. Something in the set of his lips reveals the proud rebel behind the disciplined facade.
Prior to being asked by Reiner to read for the part, Bodison had never considered a career in acting. With the help of some alumni from his alma mater, the University of Virginia, he had quickly managed to get on the fast track to a career in film production. Bodison began fresh out of college as a file clerk at Columbia Pictures and soon snared a job in the mailroom of Castle Rock (his future mentor's production company). His student/teacher relationship with Reiner began when worked as a set assistant on "Misery" (1990). This deepened into a father/son relationship during the making of "A Few Good Men."
In one of the film's key supporting roles, Bodison garnered impressive reviews and had the opportunity to work with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. Subsequently he decided to pursue an acting career although with very few exceptions, he was typecast as men in uniform. Bodison has essayed several cops (notably in "Freeway" 1996) and military officers (e.g., "Most Wanted" 1997). A rare chance for the actor to create a civilian role was as the groom whose Caucasian fiancee begins to have second thoughts in "The M Word" (1997).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Film Production - Main (Special)
Life Events
1988
Drove to Hollywood with a friend after graduation from college
1990
Worked as a director's assistant on Reiner's "Misery"
1990
First TV credit as production assistant on the CBS TV-movie "Partners in Life"
1991
Rounded up cars for John Singleton's "Boyz N the Hood"
1992
Hired as a location manager on Reiner's "A Few Good Men"
1992
Acting debut in key role as Dawson in "A Few Good Men"
1992
Worked with an acting coach for 10 days
1992
Asked by Reiner to read for the part of Lance Cpl Harold Dawson, one of the Marine defendents in "A Few Good Men"
1994
Had featured role in the Fox movie "Rise & Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story"
1994
Originated the role of Al Boulet, the ex-husband of Gloria Reuben's Jeanie Boulet on the NBC drama series "ER"
1996
Had featured role in "Freeway" (premiered on HBO before receiving a theatrical release)
1997
Played the prospective groom in an interracial romance in "The M Word"
2001
Had supporting part in the CBS TV-movie "The Wedding Dress"
