About John Karlen
John Karlen (born John Adam Karlewicz; May 28, 1933 – January 22, 2020) was an American actor. He was best known for his multiple roles on the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows from 1967 to 1971, most notably as Willie Loomis, and as Harvey Lacey on the crime drama television series Cagney & Lacey (1982–88). He won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1986 for the latter role. == Early life and education == Karlen was born May 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, the son of Polish American parents Helen Agnes (née Balondowicz) and Adam Marion Karlewicz. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on a scholarship. == Career == Karlen's first acting experiences were on early television productions such as From These Roots and Kraft Television Theatre. His Broadway stage career began in 1959 in Sweet Bird of Youth. He accumulated roles on both stage and television before winning one of his signature roles in 1967 in the daytime serial Dark Shadows. It was Karlen's pivotal character of Willie Loomis who released vampire Barnabas Collins from his coffin, setting off the events of the series.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.