Shelly Novack
Sheldon Lennard "Shelly" Novack (January 10, 1944 – May 27, 1978) was a professional American AFL player and actor.
Shelly Novack | |
---|---|
Born | Sheldon Lennard Novack January 10, 1944 |
Died | May 27, 1978 34) Santa Monica, California, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Santa Monica City College California State University, Long Beach |
Occupation | Football player, actor |
Years active | 1964–1978 |
Spouse(s) | Colleen Belle Johnson ( m. 1973–1978) |
Children | 1 |
Career
Football
Novack was an all-league and special mention Junior College All-American at Santa Monica City College (class of 1963), and 1 team All-American at Long Beach State in 1964 and 1965. In 1966, Novack was drafted as a wide receiver by the AFL's San Diego Chargers. He was the 135th pick in the AFL draft and never played in a game. After two seasons in San Diego, he met Universal acting coach Vincent Chase while playing in a touch football league off season. Chase invited Novack to the studios which led to Novack embarking on an acting career.[1]
Acting
Novack made his screen debut in the Hallmark Hall of Fame television film A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer in 1968.[2] He went on to appear in guest roles on television shows such as Ironside, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, The Love Boat, and Quincy, M.E.
He was a regular on the Quinn Martin-produced TV shows The F.B.I (1973–74) and Most Wanted. In addition to television, he had film roles such as Johnny Finney in 1969's Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here and as Rolling, the cockpit mechanic who assists in moving the stranded jet in Airport, released in 1970.
In 1977, Novack won the very first Toyota Grand Prix pro-celebrity race.[3]
Death
On May 27, 1978, Novack died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, California at age 34. He is interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967–1970 | The Virginian | Various roles | 5 episodes |
1968 | A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer | Barney | Television movie |
1968–1974 | Ironside | Various roles | 5 episodes |
1969 | The Outsider | Edward Potolski | Episode: "Service for One" |
1969 | The Bold Ones: The New Doctors | H.P. Leader | Episode: "The Rebellion of the Body" |
1969 | Willie Boy | Johnny Finney | |
1969 | Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here | Johnny Finney | |
1969–1970 | The Name of the Game | Various roles | 3 episodes |
1970 | The Forty-Eight Hour Mile | Television movie | |
1970 | McCloud | James Waldron | Episode: "Portrait of a Dead Girl" |
1970 | Airport | Rolling | |
1970 | Gunsmoke | Adam Bramley | Episode: "Stark" |
1970 | The Intruders | Theron Pardo | Television movie |
1971 | Dan August | Matt Lawrence | Episode: "Days of Rage" |
1971 | The Mod Squad | Ed Kelton | Episode: "The Sands of Anger" |
1971 | The D.A. | Episode: "The People versus Boley" | |
1971 | Cade's County | Earl Grimes | Episode: "Inferno" |
1972 | Emergency! | Vern Hammond | Episode: "Hang-Up" |
1972 | Kansas City Bomber | Fan | |
1972 | The Rookies | Cody | Episode: "Concrete Valley, Neon Sky" |
1972 | Banyon | Episode: "The Old College Try" | |
1975–1975 | Medical Center | Various roles | 3 episodes |
1972–1976 | The Streets of San Francisco | Various roles | 2 episodes |
1973 | Circle of Fear | Art | Episode: "Dark Vengeance" |
1973 | The Letters | Sonny | Television movie |
1973 | The Delphi Bureau | Carson | Episode: "The Self-Destruct Project" |
1973 | Toke | ||
1973–1974 | Kung Fu | Various roles | 2 episodes |
1973–1976 | The F.B.I. | Agent Chris Daniels | 8 episodes |
1974 | Kolchak: The Night Stalker | York | Episode: "Horror in the Heights" |
1974–1977 | Police Story | Various roles | 7 episodes |
1975 | The Desperate Miles | Lou | Television movie |
1975 | Cop on the Beat | Henderson | Television movie |
1975 | Medical Story | Jerry | Television movie |
1975 | Hawaii Five-O | Officer Oliver MacDougall | Episode: "Sing a Song of Suspense" |
1975 | Barnaby Jones | Ralph Forester | Episode: "Portrait of Evil" |
1975 | Switch | Strayhorn | Episode: "Mistresses, Murderers and Millions" |
1976 | Bert D'Angelo/Superstar | Bobby Cox | Episode: "Murder In Velvet" |
1976 | Good Heavens | Andy Reed | Episode: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" |
1976 | Vigilante Force | D.O. Viner | |
1976 | The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries | Wally Siebert | Episode: "Wipe-Out" |
1976–1977 | Most Wanted | Sgt. Charlie Benson | 22 episodes |
1977 | The Love Boat | Brad Brockway | Episode: "The Captain and the Lady/One If by Land/Centerfold" |
1977 | Quincy, M.E. | Ben | Episode: "The Hero Syndrome" |
1978 | Superdome | Peter Brooks | Television movie |
1978 | Love's Dark Ride | Karl Sears | Television movie, (final film role) |
References
- "Universal Studios' Flowering Talent". The Milwaukee Journal. 1970-05-12. p. 2. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- "Drama Fans Will Get A Taste Of Football". St. Petersburg Times. 1968-11-20. pp. 12–D. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
- "Catching On". The Los Angeles Times. 1977-04-19. pp. D–3.