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?
Early life and career
Garrett was born in Harlem, New York City, 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, 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.
His mother was worried that he was on a path toward delinquency and had Willie Bryant and Sammy Davis Jr. 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.
After several years in pro wrestling, Garrett turned to comedy and performed a regular routine in the Borscht Belt, using anecdotes from his childhood years in Harlem.
Television career
As well as his regular role on Car 54, Where are You?, Garrett has acted in a number of television productions including episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard, Knots Landing, Max Headroom, Santa Barbara, Three's Company, Airwolf, Knight Rider, Columbo, Dragnet, Kojak, and Alien Nation. Garrett is also known for his voiceover work on Garfield and GI Joe.
Film career
Among Garrett's film credits are notable roles in Serpico, Three Days of the Condor, Death Wish, and The Sentinel. Garrett tends to be cast as the "heavy" in many roles.
He played a hitman 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 his shoes. 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.
Selected filmography
The Producers (1967) - Stagehand (uncredited) A Lovely Way to Die (1968) - Henderson (uncredited) Richard (1972) - Advisor Serpico (1973) - Malone Death Wish (1974) - Andrew McCabe Three Days of the Condor (1975) - Mailman Deadly Hero (1975) - Buckley The Sentinel (1977) - James Brenner Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) - Conductor Firepower (1979) - Oscar Bailey The Amityville Horror (1979) - Bartender The Jazz Singer (1980) - Police Sergeant The Sting II (1983) - Cab Driver The Rosebud Beach Hotel (1984) - Kramer Johnny Dangerously (1984) - Mayor The Boys Next Door (1985) - Detective Ed Hanley Bad Guys (1986) - Bud Schultz Blood Frenzy (1987) - Dave Ash That's Adequate (1989) - Space Pilot Maniac Cop 2 (1990) - Tom O'Henton Steel and Lace (1991) - Capt. Grover Final Approach (1991) - RSO Guns and Lipstick (1995) - Foreman Fatal Choice (1995) - Lt. Hadcock Exit in Red (1996) - Dr. Wayland Nothing to Lose (1997) - Manny - the bartender Safe House (1998) - Hitman / Postman The Modern Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1998) - Police Chief Baby Geniuses (1999) - Guard The Million Dollar Kid (2000) - Delivery Dispatcher Moses: Fallen. In the City of Angels. (2005) - Lucky Palermo