I think they all do it. I remember back in the 1960's when Get Smart was so popular that someone was interviewing some of the people Barbara Feldon went to school with and they were all surprised that even though they all the same age in school all of a sudden as adults she was 5 years younger than they were! So it would not surprise me at all if he also shaved a few years off.

I always thought he shaved a few years off his age too. He's allegedly 55 now, for some reason it would make more sense if he was 59 or 60. They didn't seem like nine years apart in age, more like only 4 or 5. I thought he must have been born in 1955-56. It is actually surprising how many actors have taken 3-5 years off their age, even though 3-5 years is never noticeable in physical appearance.

I reckon he was not born in 1960!
Its that man again!!

'pack of beer (how did he get that? 18 is underage in America, right?)'

It was lowered to age 18 for a short time in the late 70's

Actually he was only 17 when he auditioned for Dukes and used a fake birth certificate. By the time he got caught, the show was a hit and he was almost 21.

"18 is underage in America, right?)"
That depends. Back in the 70's, all the states were different. Some states, 18 was legal drinking age. And then it started to change to 21 across the board.

Yep. They were looking for 24+ Southerners but John was only 18 and from New York so he lied at the audition and walked in wearing torn jeans and tee-shirt and carrying a 6-pack of beer (how did he get that? 18 is underage in America, right?), and I think I remember him saying that he put on an accent too.
Apparently when they found out his real age they were a bit miffed, but I think he was already signed, and they loved him anyway, so it all worked out good.
I'm amazed I remember all that. This is stuff I found out at LEAST 2 years ago
http://jbbloggirl.livejournal.com/

This message has been deleted.

I remember reading that John was older than 19 when he started on Dukes, but for some reason shaved about five years off his age. There must be a way to find out if this is true? Does anyone know his real age? He's still very handsome but it's believable that he's 54. He still looks about ten years younger than that. It does seem strange that they'd hire actors who were nine years apart in age.

And if that's the case, I'll bet alot of mid-to-late-twentysomething actors who auditioned for the role at time are pissed!
But then at least they still cast Catharine Bach, and didn't screw her over for a female younger than the male lead like Warner Bros did to Rene Russo when they cast Val Kilmer in
Batman Forever
.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!"
C. M. Burns

He looks amazing for 49,he looks more like 39

I thought he was older as well. If so, he started on Dukes at 19? I am not sure about this. I wouldn't be surprised for a few years were shaved off of him!! IMDB says his Dukes co-star Tom W16d0opat was born in 1951, 9 years before Schneider was allegedly born. I remember Dukes and they did not look like they were 9 years apart in age.