Hank Garrett (born Henry Greenberg Cohen Sandler Weinblatt, October 26, 1931) is an American actor, comedian, author, speaker, teacher, mixed martial artist and retired professional wrestler best known for the television role of Officer Nicholson on ''

Car 54, Where Are You? ''Car 54, Where Are You?'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1961 to April 1963. Filmed in black and white, the series starred Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon, two mismatched New York City pol ...

Early life and career

Garrett was born in

Harlem, New York City Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...

, to Sam and Ida Greenberg, both Jewish Russian immigrants. His birth certificate lists his name as Henry Greenberg Cohen Sandler Weinblatt. Garrett began powerlifting, bodybuilding and karate as a means of self-protection in a rough neighborhood, starting at age 13. He was the 1958 winner of the Junior Olympic Powerlifting competition. This led to an extended stint (1957-1966) in professional wrestling under the name of The Minnesota Farm Boy. In one of his last matches he fought a young

Jimmy Snuka James Reiher Snuka (born James Wiley Smith; May 18, 1943 – January 15, 2017) was a Fijian American professional wrestler. He is better known by the ring name Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. Snuka wrestled for several promotions from the 1970s to 2010 ...

, he mentioned this during his hall of fame speech with Jimmy Snuka in attendance. In June 2009 he was inducted into the

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) and Museum is an American professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located in Wichita Falls, Texas currently closed to water leaks. The museum was founded by Tony Vellano in 1999, and was previo ...

. His mother was worried that he was on a path toward delinquency and had

Willie Bryant William Stevens Bryant (August 30, 1908 – February 9, 1964) was an American jazz bandleader, vocalist, and disc jockey, known as the "Mayor of Harlem". Biography Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, while growing up he took trumpet l ...

and

Sammy Davis Jr. Samuel George Davis Jr. (December 8, 1925 – May 16, 1990) was an American singer, dancer, actor, comedian, film producer and television director. At age three, Davis began his career in vaudeville with his father Sammy Davis Sr. and the ...

talk to him, and they got him a job as a "band boy". He would set up the music stands for a band at shows, he was paid $50 for his first day of work. He later worked at the club owned by

Larry Storch Lawrence Samuel Storch (January 8, 1923 – July 8, 2022) was an American actor and comedian best known for his comic television roles, including voice-over work for cartoon shows such as Mr. Whoopee on ''Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales'' and hi ...

. After several years in pro wrestling, Garrett turned to comedy and performed a regular routine in the

Borscht Belt The Borscht Belt, or Jewish Alps, is a colloquial term for the mostly defunct summer resorts of the Catskill Mountains in parts of Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties in the U.S. state of New York, straddling both Upstate New York and the north ...

, using anecdotes from his childhood years in Harlem.

Television career

As well as his regular role on ''

Car 54, Where are You? ''Car 54, Where Are You?'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1961 to April 1963. Filmed in black and white, the series starred Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon, two mismatched New York City pol ...

'', Garrett has acted in a number of television productions including episodes of ''

The Dukes of Hazzard ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy TV series that was aired on CBS from January 26, 1979 to February 8, 1985. The show aired for 147 episodes spanning seven seasons. It was consistently among the top-rated television series ...

'', ''

Knots Landing ''Knots Landing'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of ''Dallas'', it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centered on the lives of ...

'', ''

Max Headroom Max Headroom is a fictional artificial intelligence (AI) character portrayed by actor Matt Frewer. Advertised as "the first computer-generated TV presenter", Max was known for his biting commentary on a variety of topical issues, arrogant wit, ...

'', '' Santa Barbara'', ''

Three's Company ''Three's Company'' is an American sitcom television series that aired for eight seasons on ABC from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984. It is based on the British sitcom ''Man About the House''. The story revolves around three single roomma ...

'', ''

Airwolf ''Airwolf'' is an American action military drama television series that centers on a high-technology military helicopter, code-named ''Airwolf'', and its crew. The show follows them as they undertake various exotic missions, many involving esp ...

'', ''

Knight Rider ''Knight Rider'' is an American entertainment franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The core of ''Knight Rider'' is its three television series: the original ''Knight Rider'' (1982–1986) and sequel series ''Team Knight Rider'' (1997–1998) ...

'', ''

Columbo ''Columbo'' () is an American crime drama television series starring Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. After two pilot episodes in 1968 and 1971, the show originally aired on NBC f ...

'', '' Dragnet'', ''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American action crime drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Taking the time slot of the popular ''Cannon'' series, it ...

'', and ''

Alien Nation ''Alien Nation'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Rockne S. O'Bannon (later known for ''Farscape''), comprising film, television, and other media productions about alien refugees living on Earth. The series began with the ...

''. Garrett is also known for his voiceover work on ''

Garfield ''Garfield'' is an American comic strip created by Jim Davis. Originally published locally as ''Jon'' in 1976, then in nationwide syndication from 1978 as ''Garfield'', it chronicles the life of the title character Garfield the cat, his human ...

'' and ''

GI Joe ''G.I. Joe'' is an American media franchise and a line of action figures owned and produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier ( U.S. Army), Ac ...

''.

Film career

Among Garrett's film credits are notable roles in ''

Serpico ''Serpico'' is a 1973 American neo-noir biographical crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title role. The screenplay was adapted by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler from the book of the same name written by Peter ...

'', ''

Three Days of the Condor ''Three Days of the Condor'' is a 1975 American political thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, and Max von Sydow. The screenplay by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Rayfiel was based on ...

'', ''

Death Wish Death Wish or Deathwish may refer to: Common meanings *Suicidal ideation, term for thoughts about killing oneself *Death drive, term in Freudian psychiatry Arts and entertainment Radio *"Death Wish", a 1957 episode of the radio series ''X Minus ...

'', and '' The Sentinel''. Garrett tends to be cast as the "heavy" in many roles, He played a

hitman Contract killing is a form of murder or assassination in which one party hires another party to kill a targeted person or persons. It involves an illegal agreement which includes some form of payment, monetary or otherwise. Either party may be ...

dressed as a postman in ''Three Days of the Condor''. During the filming a tell was needed so that the Redford character would know that Garrett was not a real postman and Redford thought of the idea to have Garrett wear Redford's shoes in the scene, that would raise suspicion. During the filming of the fight scene, Garrett broke Redford's nose. Garrett won the New York Film Critics’ Award for that role. Garrett has co-starred with television and film notables including Peter Falk, Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner, Christopher Lloyd, Al Pacino, Sophia Loren, James Coburn, Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway and James Earl Jones.

Personal life

Garrett has been married three times. His first wife was Agnes Deangelis (1963-1979), second Linda DeBlasio (1982-2008) and third Deanna Marie Smith (July 23, 2017). Hank has two sons with whom he no longer has contact with. In 2014, Garrett is active in philanthropic causes, and is on the Screen Actors Guild board. He lives in the San Fernando valley and is working on production of a one-man show.Cinefantastique, Volumes 6-7
Frederick S Clarke F. S. Clarke, 1977

Selected filmography

*'' The Producers'' (1967) - Stagehand (uncredited) *''

A Lovely Way to Die ''A Lovely Way to Die'' is a 1968 American crime neo noir directed by David Lowell Rich and starring Kirk Douglas, Sylva Koscina, Eli Wallach and Kenneth Haigh. A police officer resigns from the force and becomes a bodyguard to the wife of a ...

'' (1968) - Henderson (uncredited) *''

Richard Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Frankish language, Old Frankish and is a Compound (linguistics), compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language, Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' an ...

'' (1972) - Advisor *''

'' (1973) - Malone *''

'' (1974) - Andrew McCabe *''

'' (1975) - Mailman *''

Deadly Hero ''Deadly Hero'' is a 1975 American neo noir thriller film starring Don Murray, Diahn Williams, James Earl Jones, Lilia Skala and Treat Williams (in his film debut). It was directed by Ivan Nagy from a screenplay by George Wislocki and Don Pete ...

'' (1975) - Buckley *'' The Sentinel'' (1977) - James Brenner *'' Exorcist II: The Heretic'' (1977) - Conductor *''

Firepower Firepower is the military capability to direct force at an enemy. (It is not to be confused with the concept of rate of fire, which describes the cycling of the firing mechanism in a weapon system.) Firepower involves the whole range of potent ...

'' (1979) - Oscar Bailey *''

The Amityville Horror ''The Amityville Horror'' is a book by American author Jay Anson, published in September 1977. It is also the basis of a series of films released from 1979 onward. The book is based on the claims of paranormal experiences by the Lutz family, b ...

'' (1979) - Bartender *''

The Jazz Singer ''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolated ...

'' (1980) - Police Sergeant *'' Bambo & Dex'' (1983) - Chief of Police Snooper (English version, voice, uncredited) *''

The Sting II ''The Sting II'' is a 1983 American comedy film and a sequel to ''The Sting'', again written by David S. Ward. It was directed by Jeremy Paul Kagan and stars an entirely original cast including Jackie Gleason, Mac Davis, Teri Garr, Karl Malden a ...

'' (1983) - Cab Driver *''

The Rosebud Beach Hotel ''The Rosebud Beach Hotel'' is a 1984 American comedy film directed by Harry Hurwitz and starring Colleen Camp, Peter Scolari, Christopher Lee, and Fran Drescher. Plot After taking over a failing Miami hotel with her workaholic fiancé Elliot ( ...

'' (1984) - Kramer *''

Johnny Dangerously ''Johnny Dangerously'' is a 1984 American crime comedy film, and a parody of 1930s crime/gangster movies. It was directed by Amy Heckerling. The film stars Michael Keaton as an honest, goodhearted man who turns to a life of crime to finance hi ...

'' (1984) - Mayor *'' The Boys Next Door'' (1985) - Detective Ed Hanley *''Bad Guys'' (1986) - Bud Schultz *'' Blood Frenzy'' (1987) - Dave Ash *''

That's Adequate ''That's Adequate'' is a 1990 mockumentary comedy film documenting a fictional Hollywood studio, Adequate Film Studios. Narrated and hosted by Tony Randall, the film features an all-star cast including James Coco (in his final film role), Robert D ...

'' (1989) - Space Pilot *''

Maniac Cop 2 ''Maniac Cop 2'' is a 1990 American action slasher film directed by William Lustig and written by Larry Cohen. It is the second installment in the ''Maniac Cop'' film series. It stars Robert Davi, Claudia Christian, Michael Lerner, and Bruce Ca ...

'' (1990) - Tom O'Henton *''

Steel and Lace ''Steel and Lace'' is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by Ernest D. Farino and starring Clare Wren, Bruce Davison, Stacy Haiduk, David Naughton, and Michael Cerveris. Plot Gaily Morton, a classical concert pianist, is raped by bus ...

'' (1991) - Capt. Grover *''

Final Approach In aeronautics, the final approach (also called the final leg and final approach leg) is the last leg in an aircraft's approach to landing, when the aircraft is lined up with the runway and descending for landing.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of ...

'' (1991) - RSO *''Guns and Lipstick'' (1995) - Foreman *''Fatal Choice'' (1995) - Lt. Hadcock *''

Exit in Red ''Exit in Red'' is a 1996 American thriller drama film directed by Yurek Bogayevicz and starring Mickey Rourke, Annabel Schofield, Carré Otis, and Anthony Michael Hall Michael Anthony Hall (born April 14, 1968), known professionally as Ant ...

'' (1996) - Dr. Wayland *'' Nothing to Lose'' (1997) - Manny - the bartender *''

Safe House A safe house (also spelled safehouse) is, in a generic sense, a secret place for sanctuary or suitable to hide people from the law, hostile actors or actions, or from retribution, threats or perceived danger. It may also be a metaphor. Histori ...

'' (1998) - Hitman / Postman *''The Modern Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1998) - Police Chief *''

Baby Geniuses ''Baby Geniuses'' is a 1999 American family comedy film directed by Bob Clark and written by Clark and Greg Michael based on a story by Clark, Steven Paul, Francisca Matos, and Robert Grasmere, and starring Kathleen Turner, Christopher Lloyd, Kim ...

'' (1999) - Guard *''The Million Dollar Kid'' (2000) - Delivery Dispatcher *''Moses: Fallen. In the City of Angels.'' (2005) - Lucky Palermo

References

External links

Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Garrett, Hank 1931 births 20th-century American comedians 20th-century professional wrestlers Living people American male professional wrestlers American male television actors American male film actors American male voice actors American male comedians People from Harlem Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Professional wrestlers from New York (state) Professional wrestlers from New York City