Dabney Coleman was born Dabney Wharton Coleman on January 3, 1932 in Austin, Texas. He has had a lengthy and fruitful career spanning over two decades. For most of that, he has made a living out of playing a wealthy, smarmy, sniveling guy bent on getting the most out of a situation. His claim to fame came in the role of chauvinistic boss, Franklin Hart Jr. in the film, 9-5 starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. Coleman won an Emmy in 1987 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special for his performance in Sworn to Silence. He won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical for The Slap Maxwell Story the next year.
Dr. Bart Jacobs, played by Dabney Coleman on Heartland, is Dr. Nathaniel Grant’s close friend and mentor. He is the former chief of surgery and hospital administrator who is now in need of a heart-lung transplant. He doesn’t always agree with his protégé’s often unorthodox methods but believes in Grant’s talents and prowess.
(Photo courtesy of TNT)