Trivia

First met June Allyson on the set of Little Women (1949). June was a major star at MGM. Dirk, who was visiting his grandfather, Harry Davenport, on the film set, was just 17. Dirk bore a striking resemblance to Van Johnson, June's favorite on-screen partner. They were together from 1962-75. During this time, June went through a bitter court battle with her mother over custody of her son, Richard Powell, and adopted daughter, Pamela Powell. June's mother told the court that June "was an unfit mother". The judge apparently agreed and court records show that Dirk was named legal guardian for Richard Powell and Pamela Powell. This long-drawn out legal case and June's increasing alcoholism caused a major break in their relationship. Dirk finally moved on.

Always ahead of his time, Mr. Summers created two "boy-bands" in the early 1980s - "Outre" and "The Wumblies" - long before *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and others filled this market in the late 1990s.

Son of Kate Davenport. Cousin of Arthur Rankin Jr. and Wallace Reid Jr.. Grandson of Harry Davenport and Phyllis Rankin. Great-grandson of McKee Rankin. Nephew of Ned Davenport, Ann Davenport, Dorothy Davenport, Wallace Reid and Arthur Rankin. Great-nephew of Mrs. Sidney Drew and Doris Rankin.

He has received two EMMY nominations: for writing; and for producing; the 1972 film Survival of Spaceship Earth (1972).

Because Chicago was home to Radio in its early days, as a child actor Dirk spent each "radio-season" (from September to May) in the 'Windy City.' His grandmother, Georgianna Hall, who mostly raised him, decided to turn over Dirk's formal education to the Jesuits and Religious School.

Apparently an A student, Dirk was advanced & skipped one year of grammar school, then completed his four years of high-school in under two years. He entered the University of Illinois (Urbana campus) (on a Scholarship) before his sixteenth birthday.

While at the University of Illinois he became a member of Phi Beta.

Professor Wesley Swanson (head of the University Theatre Arts department) remembered seeing Dirk as a boy in a Chicago production of "Bury The Dead;" and asked him to join his class and performance company. Subsequently Dirk was featured in several school productions, a few of which toured other cities and University campuses.

In the 1970s, he collaborated with his best friend (from grammar school days in Chicago) actress Joan Marshall, co-scripting TV sitcoms.

In 1959, he co-starred in a national tour of Sally Benson's "The Young And The Beautiful". Author Benson was the writer of the book that later became the memorable film Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), featuring Mr. Summers' grandfather, the beloved actor Harry Davenport.

Was named legal guardian for companion June Allyson and her late husband Dick Powell's children Richard Powell and Pamela Powell, as a result of a court petition.

When his friend, actress Joan Marshall, married business executive Mel Bartfield in 1990 in Los Angeles, he performed the wedding ceremony. Dirk became an ordained minister in 1969.