Trivia

Reprised his Dark Shadows (1966) role of "Willie Loomis" in four new CD "Dark Shadows" audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions. (May 2006)

He has admitted that he has a gambling addiction and that he has lost several thousand dollars over the years as a result.

John Karlen escorted his longtime friend, former Cagney & Lacey (1981) co-star, and Emmy nominee (for Judging Amy (1999)) Tyne Daly to the 2003 Emmy Awards. After Ms. Daly won the Emmy (for her role as "Maxine"), Mr. Karlen gave her a hug and kiss which was caught on camera during the TV broadcast. Ms. Daly then went on to pay a brief but warm tribute to Mr. Karlen in her acceptance speech.

John Karlen appeared, with Producer Dan Curtis and other surviving actors and personnel, in a tribute to their long-ago gothic-horror soap opera Dark Shadows (1966), at the William Paley Museum of Television Arts, in Los Angeles CA, on March 8, 2001.

John Karlen's then-wife, Betty Karlen, guest-starred in an episode of Cagney & Lacey (1981), marking the only time they appeared on the same TV series at the same time, though they did not have a scene together.

Starred in a movie about the first World Trade Center bombing; then years later was at the WTC Marriott just days before the 2001 terrorist attack -- attending a Dark Shadows Festival.

Was unhurt but visibly angry at event organizers after accidentally toppling from the stage at the 2004 Dark Shadows Weekend fan club meeting in Tarrytown, NY.

One son, Adam Karlen, born 1966.

He became friends with Delphine Seyrig on the set of Daughters of Darkness (1971).

Son of Helen Agnes (Balondowicz) and Adam Marion Karlewicz, and is of Polish descent.

Alumnus of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1958.

In a nod to his Dark Shadows (1966) character Willie Loomis, Karlen appeared in two episodes of Hill Street Blues (1982) as "Officer Loomis".