[5] His mother, Mahala Ashley Dickerson, was a lawyer and civil rights advocate for women and minorities.

[6] In 1959, he began attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, studying acting, singing, and ballet.

[7] One of the world's most titled bodybuilders, Dickerson's competitive career spanned thirty years; he was known for both his heavily muscled, symmetrical physique and for his skills on the posing dais.

[11][12] He won the Mr. Olympia once (1982), a distinction he shares with Samir Bannout (1983) and Dexter Jackson (2008) who have since retired, Shawn Rhoden (2018) who has since died, as well as Brandon Curry (2019), Hadi Choopan (2022), Derek Lunsford (2023), and Samson Dauda (2024) who are currently active.

He appeared in French's hardcover photo essay, Man (1972), and also posed for the photographer ten years later.