Charlie DeSalvo

Charlie DeSalvo is a fictional character from Highlander: The Series, portrayed by actor Philip Akin. A martial artist and former Navy SEAL, he works with and befriends the series protagonist Duncan MacLeod, an immortal swordsman from the Scottish Highlands. He was introduced in the third episode of the second season, "Turnabout", and was a recurring character throughout season two and three. Like MacLeod's allies Richie Ryan and Joe Dawson, Charlie often aided the Highlander in adventures where they attempted to protect people from criminals and evil forces. In the season four episode "Brothers in Arms", he appeared in his twelfth and final episode. Character Background Charlie is first introduced in the season two episode "Turnabout" (1993), as the owner of a martial arts dojo DeSalvo Martial Arts in the fictional city of Seacouver, Washington, United States. Charlie's background is revealed in pieces over several episodes. He grew up in a poor neighborhood nicknamed "the Zone", where residents (mostly of black or Italian descent) largely believe in taking care of their own "kind" and viewing others with suspicion. Growing up, Charlie is targeted by other children for being mixed race due to having a black mother and an Italian father. The script for "Run For Your Life" (1993) notes that Charlie's mixed heritage is "a thorny issue." Beaten up by both Italian and black kids in the neighborhood for not fully assimilating with either ethnicity, he later says he preferred not to spend time in the Zone when he had other options. As a child, Charlie admires Muhammad Ali and wants to be like him. As an adult, Charlie becomes a Navy SEAL in 1977, serving for 12 years before returning to civilian life in Seacouver. Turning his martial arts skill into a trade as a teacher, he dreams about operating his own dojo one day. After five years of saving up his money, he has enough for a down payment on his own gym, turning it into DeSalvo Martial Arts. Despite Charlie's efforts, the gym does not earn much profit and he is forced to look for a buyer for the property. In his debut episode "Turnabout," Charlie encounters the Scottish Highlander Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) and his friend Richie Ryan (Stan Kirsch), not knowing they are both immortal warriors. Initially telling them membership is closed, he changes his mind after MacLeod beats him in a martial arts sparring match. Weeks later, MacLeod purchases the dojo.