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[1] best known for the television role of Officer Nicholson on Car 54, Where Are You?[2][3]
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.[4] 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.[5] This led to an extended stint (1957-66) in professional wrestling under the name of The Minnesota Farm Boy.[6]
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.[5]
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.[7][failed verification]
Television career
As well as his regular role on Car 54, Where Are You?,[8] Garrett has acted in a number of television productions.[9][10] In 1963 he was one of the regulars on the children's comedy series Mack and Myer for Hire; several of the Car 54 actors based in New York also worked on this series.
He played the hitman disguised as a postman in Three Days of the Condor.[13] During the filming, a clue 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.[5] Garrett won the New York Film Critics’ Award for that role.[14]
Personal life
Garrett has been married three times. His first wife was Agnes Deangelis (1963-1979), his second was Linda Garrett (1982- 2008), and his third is Deanna Marie Smith (since July 23, 2017).[15][16] He has two sons.[citation needed]
Garrett was active in philanthropic causes, and is on the Screen Actors Guild board. He lives in the San Fernando Valley and was last working on producing a one-man show.[17][18][19]
Awards
Garrett has also been recognized as an actor with a New York Film Critics' Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award, among other awards. In June 2009, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.[6][20] He was also inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.[14]
↑ Gates, Robert K. "Hank Garrett". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on September 10, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
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