- His father was a doctor and his mother was a nurse.
- Initially cast as Ray Krebbs on Dallas (1978) before being given the role of Cliff Barnes, Kercheval and Larry Hagman were the only cast members to remain with the series throughout its entire run. Kercheval appeared in 327 episodes, Hagman in all 357 episodes.
- Although Kercheval and Larry Hagman fought many battles on Dallas (1978), their most challenging battles were in real-life after the show ended. Kercheval successfully beat lung cancer in 1993, and had to have a significant portion of his lung removed, as a result of years of heavy smoking. Hagman underwent a successful liver transplant after being given weeks to live. In 2011, however, Hagman was diagnosed with stage-2 throat cancer and succumbed in November 2012.
- Kercheval collected early American glassware, regional art of the 1930s, and classic Packard automobiles.
- Attended Indiana University, majoring in music and drama and University of the Pacific in Stockon, California. He also studied acting at the distinguished Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.
- Has six grandchildren.
- He collects antiques as a hobby.
- In the 1980s, he made numerous appearances on Super Password, Tattleatles, The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour, and The $25,000 Pyramid. In 1991, he appeared in the reunion movie, I Still Dream of Jeannie, playing Mr. Simpson, a guidance counselor at Anthony Nelson Jr.'s high school and was the temporary master for Anthony Jr.'s mother, Jeannie (Barbara Eden); this was because Larry Hagman, who played Tony Nelson, was not available to reprise his role, as he had not yet finished his run on Dallas - the irony being that I Dream of Jeannie was Hagman's first major series, and the actors' respective Dallas characters despised each other.
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