Dickie Roberts - Former Child Star (2003)

23% of critics liked it
(116 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(63,852 ratings)

In keeping with his background in television sitcoms, Sam Weisman directs the cameo-filled comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was a child actor on the hit TV show "The Glimmer Gang" and remains remembered for a particular catch phrase. Now in his thirties, he… More In keeping with his background in television sitcoms, Sam Weisman directs the cameo-filled comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was a child actor on the hit TV show "The Glimmer Gang" and remains remembered for a particular catch phrase. Now in his thirties, he finds work as a parking valet and spends time with other nominal child stars (enter cameos by Danny Bonaduce, Corey Feldman, and the like). Wanting to make a comeback, he manages to get an audition with director Rob Reiner. When the role requires him to be normal, he decides to hire a normal family in order to relive the childhood he missed out on. He ends up with sleazy salesman George Finney (Craig Bierko) and his loving wife, Grace (Mary McCormack). Dickie shares a room with their two kids: sunny daughter Sally (Jenna Boyd) and impressionable son Sam (Scott Tessa). Former child star Alyssa Milano appears as Dickie's girlfriend, Cyndi. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Sam Weisman
Written By: Fred Wolf, David Spade
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 3, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Feb 17, 2004
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Bob Townsend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Child is father to the man in this often funny, but just as often ham-fisted, untrue Hollywood story.
Alex Pappademas, Village Voice
You sense Spade is scared of what finding too much of himself in Dickie might mean.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Ouch! Spade goes sweet and gooey.
David Edelstein, Slate
Just a platform for Spade to tell smutty jokes to kids, fall off bicycles, puncture waterbeds, and, oh yes, learn the real meaning of family.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
This movie is better than Lost and Found and Joe Dirt, but that's like saying a kick in the shins is better than a poke in the eye or a kick to the groin.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
I often found myself laughing in spite of no one, not even myself.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Not at all funny David Spade movie.
Kam Williams, Bean Soup Times
Has nothing of value to offer other than a dizzying number of cameos by former child stars, each of whom is only momentarily amusing as a voyeuristic opportunity to compare the grown-up on screen to the kid ever emblazoned upon our mind's eye.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
A wince-inducing comedic atrocity.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
Nah.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
Instead of seeing Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, you could...pierce yourself with sharp objects.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

KJ P

I thought Dickie Roberts was enjoyable! david Spade brings some pretty good talent to the table here!
Coxxie M

its just the same man-nanny becomes friends with the kids movie but it has David Spade and hes funny
Dan S

I turned it off 3/4 of the way through. David Spade was better back in the early 90's.
Andrew F

Definately unfunny. Why does it look like David Spade is wearing mascara??? This movie's plot is terrible, and, through the course of the movie, the use every cliche in the book. David Spade should stick to talking llamas.
Leo L

Crazy funny!

Cast

            David Spade as Dickie Roberts

            Mary McCormack as Grace

            Jon Lovitz as Sidney

            Craig Bierko as George Finney

            Jenna Boyd as Sally Finney

            Scott Tessa as Sam Finney

            Alyssa Milano as Cyndi

            Doris Roberts as Peggy

            Rob Reiner as Himself

            Edie McClurg as Neighbor

            Leif Garrett as Himself

            Brendan Fraser as Himself

            Emmanuel Lewis as Himself

            Willie Aames
            
            Danny Bonaduce as Himself

            Dustin Diamond as Himself

            Corey Feldman as Himself

            Florence Henderson
            
            Maureen McCormick
            
            Butch  Patrick
            
            Dick Van Patten
            
            Marion Ross
            
            Barry Williams
            
            Erin Murphy as Brittany

            Ashley Edner as Heather Bolan

            Rachel Dratch as Rob Reiner's Assistant

            Ian Gomez
            
            Scott Terra
            
See full cast