WILLIAM KATT

'William Katt' (born February 16 1951) is an American film and television actor.
Katt was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of actor Bill Williams (formerly "Katt") and actress Barbara Hale. He attended Orange Coast College, before pursuing a career as a musician. He then started acting, appearing in summer stock and in small television roles. His earlier film credits include the role of a jock in Brian DePalma's 1976 cult film ''Carrie'', and the role of Sundance Kid in the 1978 film ''Butch and Sundance: The Early Days''. He also appeared in the John Milius surf film ''Big Wednesday'' opposite ''Jan-Michael Vincent'' and ''Gary Busey''.
He can also be seen auditioning for the part of Luke Skywalker for 1977's '' on many ''Star Wars'' documentaries. He also starred with Susan Dey in 1977's First Love, which was a groundbreaking romance film for director Joan Darling. During this period, he starred in many sexually charged, lower budget B movies.
Katt then got the role of 'Ralph Hinkley', a mild-mannered schoolteacher who is given a flying suit by aliens on the television series ''The Greatest American Hero'' in 1981, and played the role till the show was canceled in 1983. Although Katt felt silly in the costume, it would become his most famous role.
In 1981, he played the title role in ''Pippin''. In 1986, Katt starred the cult Horror/Comedy film ''House''. From 1987 onwards, Katt played the recurring role of detective Paul Drake Jr. in the periodic ''Perry Mason'' TV movies, co-starring his mother Barbara Hale, who resumed her "Della Street" role from the original show's run. He also played the lead role of a politician in the 1989 TV series ''Top of the Hill'', as well as a role in the 1991 TV show ''Good Sports''.
Katt is well known amongst the surfing community for his role as Barlow, in the film ''Big Wednesday'' which was released on May 26, 1978.
In 2004, he appeared, to wild applause from the crowd of professional surfers, to present one of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) awards at their annual World championship tour (WCT) surfing awards ceremony.
On February 16 1981 he married Deborah Kahne. They have two sons, Clayton Alexander and Emerson Hunter.

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