Kaz Garas (born 4 March 1940) is a Lithuanian-American retired actor, best known for his starring role in the TV-series '' Strange Report'', and for his numerous portrayals of sheriffs in low-budget

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Early life

Garas was born in

Kaunas Kaunas (; ; also see other names) is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius and an important centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the largest city and the centre of a county in the Duchy of Trakai ...

Lithuania Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...

, but immigrated to the United States as a child in July 1949. He became a professional actor in the 1960s.

Career

Kaz Garas began his career with a few minor parts in TV-series, but finally took off after co-starring as 'Hamlyn Gynt' in the Crime/Mystery-series, '' Strange Report'', acting alongside Anthony Quayle and Anneke Wills. After the series was cancelled in 1970, Garas played bit parts on other TV-series and films such as ''

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'', ''Fast Gun'', '' Hart to Hart'', ''

Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superhero created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston (pen name: Charles Moulton), and artist Harry G. Peter. Marston's wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byr ...

'' and '' Naked Vengeance''. He played a sheriff at least 7 times, in films such as ''Dazzle'', ''

Piranha A piranha or piraña (, , or ; or , ) is one of a number of freshwater fish in the family Serrasalmidae, or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae in order Characiformes. These fish inhabit South American rivers, ...

'', ''

Humanoids From the Deep ''Humanoids from the Deep'' (released as ''Monster'' in Europe and Japan) is a 1980 American science fiction horror film starring Doug McClure, Ann Turkel, and Vic Morrow. Roger Corman served as the film's uncredited executive producer, an ...

'' and ''Final Mission''. He retired in 2004.

Partial filmography

* ''

The Last Safari ''The Last Safari'' is a 1967 British adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway. It stars Kaz Garas and Stewart Granger. It was based on the 1962 novel, '' Gilligan's Last Elephant'' by Gerald Hanley. Plot Miles Gilchrist (Stewart Granger) is a ...

'' (1967) - Casey * '' Hawaii Five-O'' (1968, TV Series) - Johnny Fargo * '' Love Is a Funny Thing'' (1969) - Paul * '' Strange Report'' (1969-1970, TV Series) - Hamlyn Gynt * ''The Sheriff'' (1971, TV Movie) - Harve Gregory * ''The City'' (1971, TV Movie) - Unknown man * ''

'' (1972) - Joe Greer * ''

'' (1974, TV Movie) - Steve Trevor * ''Last Hours Before Morning'' (1975, TV Movie) - Ty Randolph * ''

Half a House ''Half a House'' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by Brice Mack, produced by Lenke Romanszky and released theatrically in the U.S. by Rampart Releasing. It stars Anthony Eisley and Pat Delaney as a separated married couple who divide up liv ...

'' (1975) - Artie * ''

Murder in Peyton Place ''Murder in Peyton Place'' is a 1977 American made-for-television mystery-drama film directed by Bruce Kessler. The film is based on the 1964–1969 TV series '' Peyton Place'' and it was billed as a reunion movie. It first aired on ''NBC Monday Ni ...

'' (1977, TV Movie) - Springer * ''

'' (1979, TV Series) - Lucas * ''

Starsky & Hutch ''Starsky & Hutch'' is an American action television series, which consisted of a 72-minute pilot movie (originally aired as a ''Movie of the Week'' entry) and 92 episodes of 50 minutes each. The show was created by William Blinn (inspired by th ...

'' (1979, TV Series) - Carlyle * ''

Massarati and the Brain ''Massarati and the Brain'' is a 1982 American television film produced by Aaron Spelling. Plot A billionaire private detective is looking for missing treasure, with the help of his young geek nephew, his domestic and cook, and a federal agent. ...

'' (1982, TV Movie) - Nick Henry * ''Final Mission'' (1984) - Pinesville County Sheriff * '' Naked Vengeance'' (1985) - Fletch * ''The Devastator'' (1986) - Sheriff * ''Cameo by Night'' (1987, TV Movie) - Red * ''Fast Gun'' (1988) - Harper * ''Death Falls'' (1991) - Sheriff Perrin * ''The November Men'' (1993) - Sergeant Major * '' Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter'' (1994) - Man #2 * ''

'' (1995, TV Movie) - Sheriff Carl * ''Dazzle'' (1995, TV Movie) - Sheriff * ''

'' (1996, TV Movie) - Sheriff Barnes * '' Switched at Birth'' (1999, TV Movie) - Courthouse Reporter * ''The Skin Horse'' (2003) - Lt. Harrison * ''

Mean Creek ''Mean Creek'' is a 2004 American coming-of-age psychological drama film written and directed by Jacob Aaron Estes and starring Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck, and Carly Schroeder. It was produced by Susa ...

'' (2004) - Detective Wright (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Garas, Kaz 1940 births Living people American male actors Actors from Kaunas Lithuanian emigrants to the United States