Dee Dee McCall was an iconic character on the 1980s detective drama series, Hunter. She was portrayed by Stepfanie Kramer and was featured as Detective Sgt. Rick Hunter’s (Fred Dryer) partner for six seasons.
McCall first appeared in the show’s seond season in 1985, becoming a fan favorite with her dry wit and determination to do her job well. During the sixth season, it was revealed that she and Hunter had previously been intimate, causing tension between them that lasted until her departure at the end of the season.
McCall married during the sixth season finale and left the show to pursue a singing career afterwards. Her departure opened up a spot for actress Darlanne Fluegel to join as Hunter’s new partner.
In her time on the show, McCall showed how a woman can be successful in a male-dominated profession like law enforcement. She was an inspiration to many viewers who saw her as an example of female empowerment and strength.
Though Stepfanie Kramer never released any solo albums after leaving the show, fans fondly remember McCall for her role on Hunter and will always appreciate what she brought to television screens in the 1980s.
Stepfanie Kramer’s Departure From The Hunter Show
Stepfanie Kramer left the Hunter show in 1990 in order to focus on her music career. She had been considering a solo album for some time and saw this as an opportunity to pursue her dreams. She began recording an album in England with producer Nils Lofgren, though the project was ultimately never released. Her departure from Hunter allowed her to focus her energy and time on exploring the music industry.
Source: decades.com
Did Hunter and McCall Have a Romantic Relationship?
The answer is yes. In the sixth season episode, “Unfinished Business”, it is revealed that Hunter and McCall had indeed once slept together. This revelation causes a rift in their working relationship, as they didn’t discuss the incident or move forward with a relationship. Despite this, the two characters still develop a strong bond throughout the series and remain close friends by the end of it.
Replacement of Dee Dee McCall on Hunter
Darlanne Fluegel replaced Stepfanie Kramer as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall in the seventh and final season of the show Hunter. Fluegel was cast as Lt. Toni Lewis, who worked with Detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) to solve crimes. The character of Toni Lewis was a strong, independent female detective who brought a fresh energy to the show and provided an interesting dynamic between her and Hunter.
What Was Fred Dryer’s Career After ‘Hunter’?
After Hunter, Fred Dryer returned to his popular role through his own production company, Fred Dryer Productions. In 1995, he produced and starred in a new TV series called Land’s End, which was shot entirey in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He also starred in the TV movie The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A., which was released the same year. After that, Fred continued to pursue acting and producing opportunities in the entertainment industry. His most recent projects include roles in the 2016 film Death Valley and 2017 television series S.W.A.T.. He also continues to work on his production company, producing and starring in several other projects both for television and film over the years.
The Accomplishments of Holly Hunter
Holly Hunter is an acclaimed American actress who has starred in a wide range of films, television shows and stage productions. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including two Academy Awards, one Golden Globe Award and three Emmy Awards.
Hunter’s career began on the stage, with performances in regional theatre and off-Broadway productions. Her film debut came in 1981 with the drama The Burning, folowed by roles in films such as Always (1989), Raising Arizona (1987) and Broadcast News (1987). In 1993 she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Ada McGrath in Jane Campion’s The Piano. Her other notable films include Saving Grace (2000), Thirteen (2003) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
Hunter has also appeared in several television series, including Saving Grace (2007–2010), Treme (2011–2013) and Top of the Lake (2013–2017). She most recently starred alongside Kumail Nanjiani in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy The Big Sick (2017).
Source: imdb.com
Is ‘Hunter’ Inspired by ‘Dirty Harry’?
Yes, the 1980s television show Hunter was partially based on the 1971 movie Dirty Harry. The main character of the show, Rick Hunter (played by Fred Dryer), is an LAPD detective whose behavior and attitude are heavily influenced by Clint Eastwood’s iconic Dirty Harry Callahan. Like Callahan, Hunter often breaks the rules to get results and is unafraid of consequences. He’s also known for his catchphrases like “Works for me” and “Go ahead, make my day” as a nod to Callahan. Hunter also shares other similarities with Dirty Harry, such as bing a lone wolf who often clashes with his superiors, preferring to work alone and investigating cases that other officers don’t want to touch due to their controversial nature.
Did Fred Dryer Play Football?
Yes, Fred Dryer played football. He was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 years, participating in 176 games from 1969 to 1981. During his career, he recorded 103 sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. He is also the only NFL player to score two safeties in one game. Dryer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 for his accomplishments on the field.
Did McCall Leave Hunter?
Yes, Dee Dee McCall (played by Stepfanie Kramer) left Hunter during the sixth season in 1990. After six years of playing the role of Detective Sergeant Dee Dee McCall, Kramer decided to leave the show in order to pursue other acting and musical opportunities. She was replaced by two new female officers in the seventh season.
What is Hunter’s Real Name?
Hunter’s real name is Arthur Kelm. He was born on July 11, 1931 in New York City to Gertrude (Gelien) and Charles Kelm.
Source: rottentomatoes.com
Replacement of Fluegel on Hunter
Stepfanie Kramer replaced Darlanne Fluegel on Hunter, taking on the role of Sgt. Chris Novak, crime expert and sidekick to the titular character Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter (portrayed by Fred Dryer). She starred in the show for six seasons, beginning when Fluegel left after 12 episodes.
Conclusion
Dee Dee McCall was an integral part of the show Hunter throughout its six season run. She was portrayed by actress Stepfanie Kramer and her on-screen partnership with Sergeant Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) was a major draw for viewers. After six seasons, Kramer decided to leave the show in order to pursue a singing career, and in the series finale she got married and left the show. Her exit marked the end of an era, however her legacy has been remembered fondly by fans who enjoyed watching her chemistry with Hunter. Her character was strong-willed, independent and loyal, making her one of the most beloved characters in the show’s history.
