You may know Rick Bynes as the father of famous actress Amanda Bynes. But there’s much more to this multifaceted man. Rick has led an interesting life, from his career as a respected dentist to his love for comedy. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at who Rick Bynes is – both professionally and personally.
Overview of Rick Bynes
Rick Bynes was born on September 15, 1952, which makes him 70 years old currently. He grew up in a small town in Illinois. From a young age, Rick had a passion for both science and performing. He eventually decided to pursue dentistry as a career, as it provided a stable way to help others while allowing him to tap into his personable nature.
After completing dental school, Rick established his own dentistry practice in Thousand Oaks, California. For over 30 years, he provided quality dental care to patients of all ages in his community. Rick was known for his friendly chairside manner. He loved getting to know his patients and often had them laughing with his quick wit.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in the Midwest in the 1950s and 60s shaped Rick’s upbringing. He came from a close-knit family that valued hard work, education, and a good sense of humor. Rick’s father worked at a local factory while his mother stayed home to raise Rick and his two siblings.
From elementary school through high school, Rick was an excellent student who also participated in extracurriculars like band and theater. He discovered his love for performing during a 4th grade class play. Rick continued to act in school and community theater productions as a teen.
When it came time for college, Rick earned a scholarship to study biology at the University of Illinois. He graduated with honors and then was accepted into the university’s prestigious dental school program. Rick’s personable nature and passion for helping others made him well-suited for a dentistry career.
Career and Professional Life
After earning his DDS degree, Rick completed a residency at a veteran’s hospital in Los Angeles. He then worked as an associate at an established practice for a few years before venturing out to open his own private practice in Thousand Oaks.
For over three decades, Dr. Rick Bynes provided general and cosmetic dentistry services to patients in the Thousand Oaks area. He took pride in staying current with the latest techniques and technologies in the field. Rick was beloved by his patients for his warm, humorous approach combined with dental expertise.
Alongside his serious professional pursuits, Rick never lost his playful passion for comedy. He frequently entertained his dental patients with jokes and funny stories. Rick even submitted his original comedy writing to late night talk shows, though he stuck with dentistry as his day job.
His Daughter Amanda Bynes
In addition to being a successful dentist, Rick Bynes is also a devoted family man. He and his wife Lynn raised three children, including actress Amanda Bynes. From the time Amanda and her siblings were little, Rick encouraged their imaginations and creative pursuits.
Rick played a pivotal role in Amanda’s early entry into show business. When she expressed an interest in acting as a child, he helped her get started with commercials and auditions. Rick supported Amanda as her career took off with roles on Nickelodeon shows and movies in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Even as Amanda skyrocketed to teen stardom, Rick remained a stabilizing presence in her life. He used his trademark humor to help keep things in perspective. No matter how famous his daughter became, Rick’s focus was always on being a caring, involved father first and foremost.
Role in Amanda Bynes’ Career
Rick Bynes recognized his daughter Amanda’s comedic talents from a young age. He encouraged her passion by helping her write jokes and comedy sketches. Rick even enrolled 10-year-old Amanda in comedy camp to further develop her skills.When Amanda expressed interest in acting, Rick fully supported her ambitions. He would drive her to auditions and acting classes.
Rick was there every step of the way as Amanda landed her breakout roles on Nickelodeon shows in the late 90s and early 2000s.Even as Amanda’s career took off, Rick remained a constant source of support and guidance. He helped keep her grounded despite her growing fame. Rick’s unwavering belief in his daughter undoubtedly contributed to Amanda’s success as a child and teen star.
Personal Life
Outside of his role as Amanda’s father, Rick Bynes had a successful career of his own as a dentist. He ran a dental practice in the family’s hometown of Thousand Oaks, California.
Interestingly, Rick also had a passion for comedy, much like his daughter. He would often perform stand-up comedy routines on the side. It seems the apple didn’t fall far from the tree when it came to Amanda’s natural comedic abilities.
By all accounts, Rick was a devoted family man. He and his wife Lynn raised Amanda and her older siblings Tommy and Jillian in a close-knit, loving household. The Bynes family often attended church together and remains a tight family unit to this day.
Involvement in Amanda’s Legal and Mental Health Struggles
In more recent years, Rick Bynes has been by his daughter’s side as she’s faced highly publicised mental health and substance abuse issues. Amanda’s erratic behavior and legal troubles in the early-mid 2010s concerned her parents greatly. In 2013, Rick and Lynn made the difficult decision to establish a conservatorship over then 27-year-old Amanda and her affairs. They felt it was necessary to protect their daughter’s wellbeing and finances as she struggled with bipolar disorder and drug addiction.
Despite the strain of Amanda’s challenges, Rick never wavered in his commitment to helping her get healthy. He’s worked closely with her doctors and treatment team over the years. Whenever Amanda has stumbled in her recovery, Rick has been there to lovingly support her and get her back on track.
Legacy and Influence in Entertainment
Rick Bynes may not be a household name, but his impact – via his famous daughter – is undeniable. By nurturing Amanda’s talents, he helped give rise to one of the most beloved Nickelodeon stars of a generation.
Amanda’s comedy chops and relatable charm on All That and The Amanda Show influenced countless kids who grew up watching her. Those same kids are now adults who still hold a nostalgic fondness for Amanda’s iconic characters and sketches.
You could argue that without Rick’s support and encouragement, Amanda may never have pursued entertainment. She may not have developed her gifts to the extent that she did. And an entire generation would have missed out on laughing along with Amanda’s antics after school.
So while Rick Bynes never sought the spotlight for himself, his role in shaping Amanda’s career – and in turn, pop culture – cannot be understated. He showed that behind many young stars are parents who believe in them and want to help them shine.
Conclusion
From this look at Rick Bynes’ life, it’s clear that he’s much more than just Amanda Bynes’ dad. He built a successful, decades-long career as a dentist while never losing sight of his family and his love for comedy. With his unique blend of expertise, dedication and humor, Rick is an inspiring figure both professionally and personally.
