Dale Alan Midkiff (born July 1, 1959) is an American actor, best known for playing Louis in the horror film Pet Sematary.
Midkiff was born in Chance, Maryland, the son of Joyce and Thomas Midkiff. He attended Edgewood High School near Baltimore. His first acting experience came playing Jack in a production of Jack and the Beanstalk for a local children's theater. His later roles were in The Intruder and Room Service. Dale graduated in 1977 and won a drama award from his high school. Midkiff then attended Salisbury University in Maryland, majoring in Communication Arts with a minor in English and Philosophy. Following graduation, he went to New York City where he held various odd jobs, including performing quick change for the showgirls at the Rainbow Grill in Rockefeller Center.
Midkiff acted in off-Broadway plays like Mark Medoff's "The Wager." His first movie role was in Roger Corman's Streetwalkin' playing a pimp named Duke. Dale's acting was called "grittily impressive" in what some consider a B-movie classic. He has said in interviews that while his family never quite understood his interest in acting, they never discouraged him: "I love them for allowing a kid to believe in his dreams."