Category: Movies

It was announced today that Nicky Katt died on April 8, 2025.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Katt was 54.

Nicky Katt began his career as a child actor.  As an adult Mr. Katt worked in both television and feature films.  It’s interesting that Nicky Katt’s best known television role was as a teacher on Boston Public, but in films he often played a heavy.  Mr. Katt was equally adept as a leading man or character actor.

Some of the television projects that feature Nicky Katt include: CHiPs; Fantasy Island; Father Murphy (2 episodes); Code Red; Herbie the Love Bug (5 episodes); Voyagers; Trapper John, M.D.; Quincy, M.E.; V (2 episodes); The Get Along Gang (7 episodes); CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Facts of Life; Lifestories; Dear John (2 episodes); Uncle Buck; Love & War; Knight Ride 2010; Double Rush; Friends; Kindred: The Embraced; Astoria; Boston Public (49 episodes); The Guardian (2 episodes); King of the Hill (3 episodes); Monk; Love Monkey; law & Order and Casual.

Some of Nicky Katt’s feature film appearances include: Underground Aces; Gremlins; The ‘Burbs; Sister Act; Dazed and Confused; The Cure; Strange Days; A Time to Kill; SubUrbia; Batman & Robin; One True Thing; The Limey; Boiler Room; Rules of Engagement; Way of the Gun; Waking Life; Insomnia; Secondhand Lions; School of Rock; Sin City; World Trade Center; Snow Angels; Planet Terror; Death Proof; The Brave One; The Dark Knight and Behind the Candelabra.

My favorite Nicky Katt role is in Way of the Gun. I enjoyed him in Boston Public and in so many films.  Some favorites include Boiler Room, Sin City and the Grindhouse double feature Planet Terror and Death Proof.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Nicky Katt’s family, friends and fans.

Ted Kotcheff died on April 11, 2025, just three days after his 94th birthday.

Ted Kotcheff graduated from University College, University of Toronto, with a degree in English Literature.  When he was just 24, he joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  He was the youngest director there.  Mr. Kotcheff directed Tiara Tahiti, his first feature film in 1962.  Although best known as a director, Ted Kotcheff branched out and did occasional writing, acting and producing.

Some of the television projects that feature Ted Kotcheff’s direction include: On Camera; Hour of Mystery; I’ll Have You to Remember; BBC Sunday Night Play (2 episodes); ITV Television Playhouse; Espionage; First Night (2 episodes); Drama 61-67; Armchair Theater (28 episodes); The Human Voice; ABC Stage 67 (2 episodes); The Desperate Hours; ITV Playhouse; Lights Out; Play for Today (2 episodes); Performance; Red Shoe Diaries (2 episodes); Borrowed Hearts; Buddy Faro; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (7 episodes).

Some of Ted Kotcheff’s feature films include: Tiara Tahiti; Life at the Top; Of Mice and Men; Wake in Fright; The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz; Fun with Dick and Jane; Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; North Dallas Forty; First Blood; Uncommon Valor; Weekend at Bernie’s and Folks!.

My favorite Ted Kotcheff film is First Blood.  I had been a fan of David Morrell’s novel since it came out in paperback.  Sylvester Stallone was (and is) my favorite actor.  Ted Kotcheff at the helm made one of my all-time favorite films.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Ted Kotcheff’s family, friends and fans.