He appeared in 1983 as an extra in a privately funded feature titled "Nature's Way" later retitled "Don't Change My World", a family drama, produced by George Macrenaris, directed by Robert Rector and distributed, according to unsupported rumors, among captive audiences of ship bound submariners. Ben "Cooter" Jones also appeared in the Atlanta production. Dial also co-wrote and executive produced the 1988 TV movie remake of the film The Absent-Minded Professor. The remake was directed by Robert Scheerer and featured Ed Begley, Jr. in the cast.