Vincent Strudwick (3rd Rock from the Sun)
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- For other uses of the name, see Vincent Strudwick.
| Vincent Strudwick | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Dick Behaving Badly" |
| Last appearance | "The Thing That Wouldn't Die: Part 2" |
| Cause/Reason | End of the series |
| Information | |
| Species | Earthling |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Physics professor |
| Title | "Doctor of Philosophy" |
| Relationships | Dorothy Strudwick |
| Children | Alissa Strudwick |
| Portrayed by | Ron West |
| Created by | Bob Kushell |
Vincent Strudwick is a fictional character on the American sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, played by Ron West.
Strudwick (as he is nearly always referred to as) authored a book on physics, which he teaches at the fictitious Pendelton State University, which became the new book the Dick must teach from. Dick was angry as he felt he could write one using alien superior knowledge, which he did, but had to scrap after Harry pointed out that people would ask awkward questions, leading to their identity being discovered.
Dick and Strudwick are shown as enemies, with each one hating the other and constantly trying to be better. However, in one episode, when Dick, Strudwick and Mary are faking sick days and seem to be enjoying themselves together. After this interlude, however, Dick and Strudwick are back to hating each other.
Dick's "son" Tommy (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Strudwick's daughter Alissa (played by Larisa Oleynik) date for a large portion of the latter half of the show's run (beginning in season 4) and are in love, angering Dick and Strudwick more, as they often attempt to belittle the other's child.
In one memorable episode, after Tommy and Alissa are seen by Strudwick leaving the house with a suitcase, after a lot of whispering, he and Dick mistakenly reach the conclusion that Tommy and Alissa are eloping (in actuality, they are returning something they hired together for a senior party, but don't want Strudwick to know about.) Dick and Strudwick race across the state trying to stop them, helped by Mary, but (during a 'rest stop' for Mary, which is actually a forest), think Alissa may be pregnant after Strudwick remembers he and Alissa's mother only married when she was pregnant with Alissa, hence leave to stop them quicker, leaving Mary behind in their haste. After Dick hits a deer with their car, they realise they must stop at a motel. While getting to sleep, they come round to the idea of being grandparents and toast to Tommy, Alissa and their child. They arrive back home and congratulate Tommy (and Dick tries to feel the "baby" kicking), but they are informed they didn't get married and aren't pregnant. Strudwick is secretly relieved, but Dick was looking forward to having a grandchild.
