Summary: Dean Strang of “Making a Murderer” has led a fascinating life outside of the Steven Avery case.
Netflix’s “Making a Murderer” has made a celebrity out of convicted murderer Steven Avery’s defense attorney, Dean Strang. While Strang seems to be surprised by the attention, fans can’t get enough of this fascinating Madison, Wisconsin-based attorney.
The following are six things most people didn’t know about the Internet’s latest sex symbol.
1. Strang made $40/hr as a public defender.
In a revealing interview to Forbes, Strang said that the current pay for a public defender is $40/hour. He said that in 1997, he calculated that with his modest firm of two lawyers and one secretary, the average hourly expense was $46/hour. Essentially, he lost money every time he took a court-appointed case.
2. Strang graduated from prestigious schools.
According to his firm’s website, Strang graduated cum laude in 1982 from Dartmouth University with a degree in Government. He went on to law school at the University of Virginia and graduated in 1985.
3. Strang is a hot professor.
Fans online have expressed their crushes on the sensitive Strang, but what about his students?
Strang currently teaches at the University of Wisconsin. Courses include “Bombs, Victor Berger, and Fighting Bob: WWI’s Turbulence at Home” and “Women Leading–and Succeeding–in the Progressive Era: Not just Temperance.” He has also taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School.
4. Strang originally wanted to be a cartoonist.
Strang told the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel that he grew up wanting to be a editorial cartoonist, but he found his true passion was law.
5. Strang is a family man.
As the internet crushed on him earlier this month, Strang was in Rome visiting his son, who is studying to be a priest, MW Journal Sentinel reported.
6. Strang has been surprised by all of the attention he’s received from the Netflix documentary.
Since Steven Avery’s case, Strang has continued to work as a defense attorney. He’s been shocked at the attention he received online—people tweet him their admiration and there’s even a parody Twitter account called “Sexy Dean Strang” that writes sexy messages from Strang’s point of view.
When asked about the newfound celebrity, Strang told Business Insider he hopes it will go away soon.
“I think it’s silly. It’s gonna fade very quickly. I’m not a celebrity. I’m not someone who is going to remain in the public eye,” Strang said.