Actor Nicky Katt, best known for his roles in Boston Public and Dazed and Confused, has died at the age of 54. His death occurred on April 8 in Burbank, according to friends and his attorney, John Sloss.
Katt began his career as a child actor, later gaining recognition for portraying tough characters in films such as Boiler Room, The Limey, and School of Rock. He worked with renowned directors like Richard Linklater, appearing in films like Waking Life and SubUrbia, and collaborated with Steven Soderbergh on several projects, including Full Frontal and Behind the Candelabra. Katt also appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia and The Dark Knight, playing a member of the S.W.A.T. team.
On the TV show Boston Public, Katt played Harry Senate, a popular geology teacher who worked with troubled students. After three seasons, he left the show to pursue a film career following a mental health crisis, a decision arranged by creator David E. Kelley.
In Dazed and Confused, Katt played the tough character Clint Bruno. He also starred in The Doom Generation, Strange Days, The Brave One, and several films by director Joel Schumacher, including A Time to Kill and Batman & Robin. His performance in The Way of the Gun (2000), where he played a bodyguard injured in a shootout, was particularly memorable.
Katt also voiced Atton Rand in the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords. He lived part-time in Austin, Texas, and worked with Robert Rodriguez on Sin City and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof.
In a 2008 interview, Katt reflected on his career, noting that while he was often cast as a villain, he enjoyed bringing humor to more intense roles. He also expressed gratitude for the variety of characters he was able to portray.
Born in South Dakota, Katt began his career in childhood roles, including parts in Gremlins and The ‘Burbs. His television credits included recurring roles in Herbie, the Love Bug, V, and Law and Order. His final credited appearance was in the TV series Casual in 2018.
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