Dikran Tulaine

Dikran Tulaine (born 23 June 1956) is an English-Armenian actor, storyteller and playwright, best known for appearances on television, such as the recurring guest role of Max on the NBC series The Blacklist (2013–15), and in the films G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Black Knight (2001) and Seeking Justice (2011).

Early years

Born John Dikran Utidjian in London, England, Dikran grew up in the Middle East, the Caribbean and the USA as his family followed his father's medical career. After spending his teen years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to London in the mid-70s to pursue his interests. Originally trained for a career in ballet, in 1976 he became lead vocalist for the ska band Madness when they first formed as the North London Invaders. At this time he took the stage name Dikron Tulane, slightly changing the spelling of his first name and adopting the name of Tulane University as his new surname. However, when he was accepted at the London Drama Centre, where he studied to become an actor from 1977–80, he changed the spelling of his name to Dikran Tulaine.

Tulane University

Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally founded as a public medical college in 1834, the school grew into a comprehensive university in 1847. The institution was eventually privatized under the endowments of Paul Tulane and Josephine Louise Newcomb in 1884. Tulane is a member of the Association of American Universities.

History

Founding and early history – 19th century

The university was founded as the Medical College of Louisiana in 1834 partly as a response to the fears of smallpox, yellow fever and cholera in the United States. The university became only the second medical school in the South, and the 15th in the United States at the time. In 1847, the state legislature established the school as the University of Louisiana, a public university, and the law department was added to the university. Subsequently, in 1851, the university established its first academic department. The first president chosen for the new university was Francis Lister Hawks, an Episcopalian priest and prominent citizen of New Orleans at the time.