Born and raised in California, Dryer is a member of the College Football Hall Of Fame, having played defensive end for the Aztecs of San Diego State University, and professionally for the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, on which teams he became known as the resident wiseacre, entertaining his teammates with impressions and stand-up comedy. His longest-running and most famous role is the title character of the television series Hunter (1984–1991), a mobster's son who becomes a fearsome LAPD Detective.