Jodie Dallas
Jodie Dallas is a fictional character from the 1977 American sitcom Soap. He was played by Billy Crystal. The son of central character Mary Campbell, Jodie works as a television commercial director. Jodie was among the first gay characters on American television. Despite being gay, Jodie fathered a child through a one-night stand, and many of his storylines throughout the series centered on his involvement with women. Jodie had relationships with two other women but maintained throughout the series that he was still gay. The series ended with Jodie, as the result of hypnotherapy, believing he was an elderly Jewish man.
| Jodie Dallas | |
|---|---|
| Soap character | |
Jodie Dallas as he appeared in the series premiere | |
| First appearance | Episode 1.1 |
| Last appearance | Episode 4.16 |
| Created by | Susan Harris |
| Portrayed by | Billy Crystal |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Television commercial director |
| Family | Johnny Dallas (father, deceased) Mary Campbell (mother) Burt Campbell (step-father) Danny Dallas (half-brother) Scott Campbell (half-brother) Chuck Campbell (step-brother) Peter Campbell (step-brother) |
| Significant other | Dennis Phillips Carol David Alice Maggie Chandler |
| Children | Wendy |
| Relatives | The Major (grandfather) Randolph Gatling (uncle) Jessica Tate (aunt) Chester Tate (uncle by marriage) Corinne Tate Flotsky (cousin) Eunice Tate Leitner (cousin) Billy Tate (cousin) Timmy Flotsky (first cousin once removed) |
Jodie Dallas was a source of controversy for the series. Religious organizations disapproved of his sexual orientation, while gay rights groups worried that his portrayal would be stereotypical.