Anybody who can go 12 rounds with Thomas Hearns, one of boxing's most murderous punchers, is accustomed to performing under pressure. As a professional boxer Doug Dewitt battled some of his generation's best fighters, such as Hall of Famer Thomas Hearns and world champions James Toney, Milton McCrory, Nigel Benn, Matthew Hilton, and Sumbu Kalambay. And on April 18, 1989, the Yonkers, NY middleweight reached the pinnacle of boxing success when he defeated Robbie Sims to win the world middleweight championship.

In 1987 Doug was asked by actor Mickey Rourke to audition for a role in the film Homeboy, which starred Rourke and Christopher Walken. Doug landed the role but could not accept it because he was training for a USBA title bout against Tony Thornton. But he remembered how well the audition went and after retiring from boxing he decided it was time to learn a new art form.

Doug studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute and received help from Mickey Rourke. "Mickey sent me books about acting and he gave me advice." It didn't take long before Doug realized that he enjoyed acting and that he had talent. "The first time I acted for the teacher at Lee Strasberg she said to me, 'I felt more like a director than a teacher. You were so relaxed and natural.' "

Relaxation is the key to acting according to Doug, and it is something he learned as a fighter. Laughingly he admits, "If you can stay relaxed in front of Tommy Hearns, you can be relaxed at anytime. It takes discipline to be relaxed and when you do it, you are better able to focus."

Doug eagerly auditioned for the role of Eddie in The Cutting Den. Eddie is a former boxer who now operates as an enforcer for the local crime boss. Throughout the course of the play Eddie's mental health deteriorates from the blows he suffered over the years as a fighter. "Ron told me he had a part for me in The Cutting Den," says Doug. "So I read script and I liked the character. Eddie is a good role for me. It's not a stretch because I was a fighter and I knew guys like Eddie. I'm not a mean guy like Eddie is, but I have been around those kinds of people who took wrong turns. The play is well-written and witty."

Doug's goal is to act as a lead in a motion picture film.

You can read more about Doug DeWitt by visiting his website at www.dougdewittboxing.com


FILM

Bullet, Police Officer (Principal), Dir: Julian Temple

The Florentine, Gangster (Principal), Dir: Nick Stagliano


TELEVISION

Deleventura, Gangster (Principal), Dir: Sandy Smolan CBS

Another World, Alcoholic Dad, (U/5) NBC


THEATER

Penis Monologues, Jack (Principal), CAPS 21, NYC

Love, Sex and the IRS, Janitor (Principal), Insane Actors Com Theatre

Parks Are Not Only For Sleeping, Sadistic Cop (Principal), Inner City Acting Studio, NYC,

Hatful of Rain, Polo/Johnny (Principal), Lee Strasberg Theatre, NYC

Why Not Tony's Wife, Tony (Lead), Inner City Acting Studio, NYC

Variations, Playboy (Principal), Mazur Theatre, NYC

What A Man Has To Do, Career Sergeant (Lead), Theatre Studio, NYC,

Streetcar Named Desire, Stanley Kowalski (Lead), Lee Strasberg Theatre, NYC,

Timothy Leary in Space, Doug, Boxer (Principal), Red Room Playhouse, NYC

Video Viagra, Doug, Boxer (Principal), Theatre for the New City, NYC

Pieces of Paradise, Palloka (Principal), 13th Street Repertory Theater, NYC


COMEDY

Sketch Comedy, Dillon's NYC, Endangered Improv Group, NYC

Stand Up Comedy (29 Shows)

Gotham Comedy Club

Stand Up New York

The Producer's Club

Caroline's


REPRESENTATIVE ROLES

Polo/Johnny (Hatful of Rain), Stanley Kowalski (A Streetcar Named Desire), Gus (The Dumb Waiter), Tom (The Glass Menagerie), Terry Malloy (On The Waterfront), Treat (Orphans), Eddie (Short Story/Return to Kansas City ).

On Air Talent and Commentator

Appeared as Boxer and Commentator for the following:

NBC Sunday Afternoon Fights

ABC Wide World of Sports

CBS Sunday Afternoon Fights

WNYW, Fox Channel 5 Boxing

ESPN Boxing as Interviewee & Commentator (15 performances)

HBO

The Sports Channel

SHOWTIME; Night of the Middleweights

Inside The Ring Talk Show


RADIO

Art Russ, Jr.

The Howard Stern Show

Bill Mazur Sports Talk