Ken Kercheval (born July 15, 1935, Wolcottville, Indiana) is an American actor, best known for his role as "Cliff Barnes" on the hit American television series Dallas.
Kercheval was raised in Clinton, Indiana, where his father was a popular physician.
Kercheval and Larry Hagman were the only cast members to stay with the series throughout its entire run, although Kercheval's character was only a recurring character during the first two seasons. He became a regular cast member in the 1979-1980 season. Kercheval reprised the role of Cliff Barnes in the 1996 Dallas reunion, J. R. Returns, and he appeared in the 2004 reunion special.
Kercheval made his Broadway debut in the 1962 play Something About a Soldier. Additional theatre credits include The Apple Tree, Cabaret, and Here's Where I Belong. He got his start on television in 1966, playing the part of nice, agreeable doctor Nick Hunter on Search for Tomorrow.
Ken Kercheval is a rarity, a lung cancer survivor.
In 2006 he appeared in pantomime at Southampton's Mayflower theatre.
In 2008 he is expected to appear at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Attended Indiana University, majoring in music and drama and University of the Pacific in Stockon, California. He also studied acting at the distinguished Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.
Collects early American glass. He also collects regional art of the 1930s and classic Packard automobiles.
Successfully fought lung cancer in 1993, and had to have a significant portion of his lung removed, as a result of years of heavy smoking
His father was a doctor and his mother was a nurse.
Along with Larry Hagman, he is one of only two "Dallas" (1978) cast members to stay with the series throughout its entire run.
Appeared in almost all of the 357 episodes of "Dallas" (1978).
Was initially cast as Ray Krebbs on "Dallas" (1978) before being given the role of Cliff Barnes instead.
Not only were he and Larry Hagman both the only two actors to be on the entire run of Dallas, but post-Dallas both actors faced death and beat the odds, Ken with lung cancer and Larry with liver problems
