The Original Joe Perkins: 5 Surprising Facts About Dane Witherspoon—From Robin Wright To An Ice Cream Empire
Two decades after his final on-screen appearance, the name Dane Witherspoon continues to spark curiosity among fans of classic daytime television. As of today, December 21, 2025, his legacy is not just tied to his brief but memorable run as the original Joe Perkins on the hit NBC soap opera Santa Barbara, but also to a famous marriage and a surprising career pivot that took him from the glamour of Hollywood to the world of frozen desserts. His life was a compelling, short-lived story of early fame, a high-profile romance, and a quiet, unexpected second act.
Witherspoon’s career, though short, left an indelible mark on the landscape of 1980s television. His story is a fascinating look behind the scenes of a major soap opera recasting and a testament to an actor who found peace and success far from the camera's lens. This is a deep dive into the life, career, and lasting impact of Dane Witherspoon, the blue-eyed heartthrob who walked away from Hollywood.
Dane Witherspoon: A Complete Biography and Profile
Richard Dane Witherspoon was an American actor best known for his work in daytime television.
- Full Name: Richard Dane Witherspoon
- Date of Birth: December 27, 1957
- Place of Birth: Denton, Texas, USA
- Date of Death: March 29, 2014
- Place of Death: Denver, Colorado, USA
- Age at Death: 56
- Parents: William Don Witherspoon (Father) and Dorris Singleton (Mother)
- Sibling: William Doak Witherspoon (Brother)
- Occupation: Actor (1984–1991), Ice Cream Business Manager/Owner (1990s–2014)
- Notable Roles: Joe Perkins (Santa Barbara, 1984), Tyler McCandless (Capitol, 1985–1986)
- Spouses:
- Robin Wright (m. 1986; div. 1988)
- Tracy K. Shaffer (m. 1989; div. 2011)
- Children: Two sons with Tracy K. Shaffer.
The Turbulent Role: Why the Original Joe Perkins Was Recast
Dane Witherspoon’s most famous role was also his briefest. In 1984, he was cast as Joe Perkins, the male lead and hero of the new NBC daytime soap opera, Santa Barbara. The show, set in the affluent California city, was intended to be a major rival to established serials.
Joe Perkins was the quintessential soap opera hero: a working-class man wrongly accused of the murder of Channing Capwell, Jr., a member of the wealthy Capwell family. The central mystery of the show revolved around Joe's quest to clear his name and his forbidden romance with Kelly Capwell, played by a young Robin Wright.
Despite the show's initial high hopes, Witherspoon's tenure as Joe Perkins lasted only a few months. The producers, the Dobbs sisters, were reportedly dissatisfied with the initial direction and chemistry of the show's core couple. This led to a major recasting decision.
After just three months on the air, Witherspoon was let go from the role. The character of Joe Perkins was immediately recast with actor Mark Arnold. This move was part of a broader shake-up intended to save the struggling series.
The decision to replace the original Joe Perkins remains a significant piece of Santa Barbara lore. Co-star A Martinez, who played Cruz Castillo, later expressed his sadness over Witherspoon's departure, highlighting the close bond the original cast shared.
Following his exit from Santa Barbara, Witherspoon quickly landed another major soap role, playing Tyler McCandless on the CBS serial Capitol from 1985 to 1986. This role provided him with a more sustained run on daytime television.
The Surprising High-Profile Romance with Robin Wright
One of the most enduring facts about Dane Witherspoon's time on Santa Barbara is the real-life romance that blossomed off-screen. Witherspoon and his on-screen love interest, Robin Wright (who played Kelly Capwell), began a relationship while working on the show.
The couple met during the audition process for the show, and their connection was immediate. They married in 1986, shortly after both had left the soap opera. Robin Wright was only 20 at the time, and the marriage was her first.
Their union, however, was brief. Witherspoon and Wright divorced in 1988. Following their split, Robin Wright's career skyrocketed with her iconic role as Buttercup in The Princess Bride, and she later married actor Sean Penn, becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
While their marriage was short, it forever linked Witherspoon to a major Hollywood star, ensuring his name would continue to surface in celebrity biographies and retrospectives. It was a classic example of a "soap opera romance" that transcended the screen, even if it didn't last.
Witherspoon found lasting love with his second wife, Tracy K. Shaffer. They married in 1989 and had two sons together, maintaining a long marriage that ended in divorce in 2011.
From Hollywood Star to Denver’s Ice Cream Mogul
Perhaps the most unique and least-known chapter of Dane Witherspoon’s life was his definitive departure from the entertainment industry. In the early 1990s, the actor made a complete career U-turn, leaving Hollywood behind to pursue a new venture in the food business.
Witherspoon and his second wife, Tracy Shaffer, moved to Denver, Colorado, where they opened and managed an ice cream business. The company was reportedly called Licks Ice Creams.
This move was a dramatic shift from the high-pressure world of acting to the demanding but more grounded life of a small business owner. The irony of an actor named "Witherspoon" running an ice cream company called "Licks" was not lost on fans who followed his later career.
Witherspoon found great satisfaction in this second career, focusing on his family and his business in Denver. He had permanently given up acting by the time he and Tracy divorced in 2011. He continued to manage the ice cream company until his death.
His story serves as a rare example of a television actor choosing to walk away from the spotlight entirely to build a successful, quiet life in a completely unrelated field. This post-acting career in the ice cream industry is the "fresh" and "unique" detail that truly defines his later years, answering the long-standing question of "Where is the original Joe Perkins now?"
Legacy and Final Years
Dane Witherspoon passed away unexpectedly on March 29, 2014, at the age of 56. His death was confirmed by his friend and former co-star, A Martinez, who shared the news with the Santa Barbara fan community.
The cause of his death was not widely publicized, but the news brought an outpouring of condolences from the soap opera community, particularly those associated with the original cast of Santa Barbara.
Witherspoon’s legacy is a blend of 1980s television nostalgia and an inspiring personal narrative. He is remembered as the charming, blue-eyed actor who introduced the character of Joe Perkins, who starred alongside his future wife, Robin Wright, and who later successfully navigated a significant career change.
For fans of the golden age of daytime television, Dane Witherspoon remains the original hero of the Capwell saga—a talented actor whose life, though short, was rich with fame, love, and the simple pleasures of running a successful ice cream parlor far away from the cameras.
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