Shelly Novack was an American actor best known for his roles in “The Intruders,” “Airport,” and “The Love Boat.” He was born on January 10, 1944, in Los Angeles County, California, and passed away on May 27, 1978.
Personal and Family Life
Shelly Novack was the son of a father who owned an apartment building near Santa Monica beach and operated a bikini store. He excelled in sports during his youth and attended Venice High School in California. Novack played football at Santa Monica City College and Long Beach State before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1965. He married Colleen Belle Johnson on October 10, 1973, and they had one child together.
Career
Shelly transitioned from a promising athletic career to acting, making appearances in various films and television shows throughout the 1970s. His most notable performances included roles in “Most Wanted” and “The F.B.I.” Novack was recognized not only for his acting talent but also for his passion for sports, having won the first Toyota Grand Prix Pro Celebrity Race in 1977.
Death and Legacy
Shelly Novack died of a heart attack at the young age of 34, which was attributed to years of drug use, including cocaine, as noted by producer Quinn Martin. His unexpected death shocked friends and fans, and he remains a remembered figure in both the sports and entertainment industries.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Intruders | 1970-11-10 | Theron Pardo |
| Airport | 1970-03-25 | Rollings |
| The Letters | 1973-03-03 | Sonny |
| Love’s Dark Ride | 1978-04-02 | Karl Sears |
| Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here | 1969-10-31 | Finney |
| Vigilante Force | 1976-09-09 | D.O. Viner |
| The Desperate Miles | 1975-03-05 | Lou |
| Superdome | 1978-01-09 | Peter Brooks |
| Kansas City Bomber | 1972-08-02 | Fan |
| Cop on the Beat | 1975-05-06 | Henderson |
| Kung Fu | 1972-10-14 | |
| The Love Boat | 1977-09-24 | Brad Brockway |
| The F.B.I. | 1965-09-19 | Agente especial Chris Daniels |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Adam Bramley |
| Medical Center | 1969-09-24 | |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Barney Swiacki |
| Kolchak: The Night Stalker | 1974-09-13 | |
| Switch | 1975-09-09 | Strayhorn |
| The Virginian | 1962-09-19 | Stone Jackson |
| Banyon | 1972-09-15 | |
| Good Heavens | 1976-02-29 | |
| The Rookies | 1972-09-11 | |
| Quincy, M.E. | 1976-10-03 | |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Officer Oliver MacDougall |
| The Streets of San Francisco | 1972-09-23 | |
| The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries | 1977-01-30 | |
| The Mod Squad | 1968-09-24 | |
| Ironside | 1967-03-28 | |
| Police Story | 1973-03-20 | |
| The Outsider | 1968-09-18 | |
| Ghost Story | 1972-09-15 | Art |
| McCloud | 1970-02-17 | James Waldron |
| The Name of the Game | 1968-09-20 | Russ Dickson |
| The Name of the Game | 1968-09-20 | Mike Wojcik |
| Most Wanted | 1976-03-21 | Sergeant Charlie Benson |