Dennis Dirk Blocker (born July 31, 1957) is an American actor. He earned his first regular TV role on Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978),^[1] playing pilot Jerry Bragg. From 2013–2021, he starred as Detective Michael Hitchcock on the Fox/NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Born in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of actor Dan Blocker and Dolphia Lee Blocker (née Parker).^[2] His brother is producer David Blocker.

Career

Blocker appeared onscreen for the first time with his father in a 1964 car commercial.^[3] He began appearing on American television in 1974, acting in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. at the age of 16.^[4] He has had guest roles in ER;^[1] Little House on the Prairie; The X-Files; Beverly Hills, 90210; Walker, Texas Ranger; Night Court; Murder, She Wrote; M*A*S*H; Doogie Howser, M.D.; Matlock; Quantum Leap and CHiPs. At age 19, he was cast in the role of 1st Lt. Jerry Bragg on the military drama Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978). He did not have another regular TV series role until being cast in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021).

He played a supporting role in Bonanza: The Return as a reporter named Walter Fenster, and again in the 1995 Bonanza: Under Attack.^[5]

An article published by NBC states that (at an unspecificed date) "Blocker went back to school to earn his bachelor of arts degree so he could teach K-12" and in 2017, published a book that he had written, Master and the Little Monk, about "a lonely young boy who is befriended by a unique ally and mentor".^[6]

His film credits include Midnight Madness (1980),^[3] Raise the Titanic (1980),^[4] The Border (1982), Poltergeist (1982),^[4] Starman (1984), Trouble in Mind (1985), Made in Heaven (1987), Prince of Darkness (1987), Pink Cadillac (1989), Cutting Class (1989), Equinox (1992), Short Cuts (1993), Night of the Scarecrow (1995), and Mad City (1997).

Filmography

X-Files - Season 6 Episode 8 The Rain King