Meet iconic actor Hank Garrett in his most personal he has given so far. Born on October 26th of 1941 (wikipedia gets this constantly wrong like so many other things there) his career spans over several decades and he is and was a wanted working actor in television and film, award winning book author, philanthropist and hollywood titan beloved by the fellow A-list of Tinseltown.
NAME: Hank Garrett
PROFESSION: Actor, Comedian, Teacher: Improvisational Acting; Dialectic Gibberish; Accents;
HOMEPAGE: www.hankgarrett.biz
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: “Mr Hank Garrett“
1. How do you describe yourself in one sentence?
I’m a big kid that won’t grow up. I’m fun to be around, have a great sense of humor and LOVE making others laugh!
2. How do you know H.H. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe?
I met His Highness Prince Mario-Max thru a mutual friend. I immediately fell in love with him and his family – they are such giving people. They even flew in from Europe for my wedding a few years ago.
3. Which achievement are you especially proud of?
Winning Best Fight Scene for “Three Days of the Condor” – wonderful to be acknowledged by my peers. I feel so lucky to have worked with stars like Robert Redford, James Earl Jones, Kirk Douglas, Sophia Loren, James Colburn, Christopher Lee, John Barrymore, etc. There are too many to name.
4. What moves and encourages you?
Spontaneous recognition, meaning fans and producers recognizing me. This has given me an opportunity to be used in various television shows and movies.
5. Are you upset about critique?
Only if it’s negative. But it encourages me to improve my performance and create a better relationship between myself and fans.
6. Where does your next trip lead you to?
Possibly a new living environment in order to expand my career and open new opportunities.
7. What can your assistant or help do that your smart phone can’t?
My assistant could give that personal touch which the impersonal smart phone could never do. Giving personal awareness of my credits – to make the public more aware of my existence and my talents.
8. Are you a night owl or early bird and why?
I’m really a night owl, because of late personal appearances, late night shows, ie, opening for Tony Bennett in Las Vegas which always went late into the night. Or attending late night parties.
9. Whom would you like to dine with present or past (even a historic person)?
Actors and personalities that I have long admired, ie, Cary Grant, William Powell, Rosalyn Russell, Jack Lemon, (actors I never had a chance to work with); and Sophia Loren, James Coburn, (actors I had the honor of working with).
10. If you could bestow a decoration, order or honor who would receive it?
Kevin Dobson, an actor who is no longer with us. Aside from his talents as a wonderful actor (first met him when working on Kojak, with Telly Savalis), he’s made amazing contributions to US veterans.
11. What is your favorite restaurant?
Olive Garden – they always have healthy meals. I eat mostly vegetables.
12. The best place after a party night out on town?
I’m no longer a night person, so I don’t really wouldn’t know where to go.
13. How can you be treated with a culinary delight?
Probably strawberry or chocolate cheesecake, something I seldom have because it doesn’t fit in with my current eating pattern.
14. How do you relax?
Watching television – where I can be an observer and don’t have to participate.
15. If you could be someone else for a week, who would that be?
Maybe Cary Grant. He had such class, and brought humor / charm to every role he ever played.
16. Your biggest hero?
Sammy Davis, Jr. – he saved my life by getting me “off the street”
17. Which character attributes do you treasure?
Keeping my word, and always trying to help others.
18 Which book did you read last?
“The Godfather of Grappling” by Gene LeBell – I recently re-read to honor Gene who recently died. When I was a pro-wrestler, Gene was my mentor and trainer.
19. What is a perfect day?
Having a healthy breakfast and going to the gym. Maintaining good health has always been a top priority to me.
20. What are you proud of?
Winning the award for Best Fight Scene in “Three Days of the Condor” with Robert Redford.
21. Which dream do you want to fulfill yourself?
To see my autobiography, “From Harlem Hoodlum to Hollywood Heavyweight,” turned into a movie or a TV series.
22. What’s your favorite drink?
Protein shake.
23. Your biggest success?
Being cast as Officer Nicholson in ‘Car 54 Where Are You” which started off my acting career. And it’s still being shown on TV.
24. Your biggest down?
Loosing my son in a motorcycle accident. He was my pride and joy.
25. What can’t you understand?
As a first generation American, I can’t understand why my country is being torn apart.
26. Which talent would you like to have?
I’d like to have been trained as a dancer.
27. Share a life wisdom with us?
Never say never – otherwise you may not realize the next big opportunity.
28. Life is too short to?
Not go after your dream — no matter how unrealistic it seems. Like the song, ‘The Impossible Dream,” from Man of La Mancha.
29. How do you define luxury?
Never wanting to have anything that you can’t afford to have.
30. What do you always have in your fridge?
Prepared protein shake when I’m not able to make my own.
31. Whats your life motto?
Never give up because success is just around the corner.
32. Whats your favorite website?
www.harlemhoodlum.com – that’s the website for my new book, “From Harlem Hoodlum to Hollywood Heavyweight” – I hope to inspire others (particularly those going through difficult times, ie, teenagers or younger) by showing the many obstacles I’ve been able to turn into opportunities. In the future I hope to establish “Hankster’s Kids” – a safe haven for street kids to come to.
33. Whats your favorite app?
We like newstodayworld.org on google news better then anything online 🙂
34 Whats your favorite sport?
Martial Arts and Wrestling – I was a professional wrestler early in my life, and I utilized many Martial Arts forms (I have a Black Belt in 5 different Martial Arts forms) which had not been seen much previously.
35. What would be your last meal?
Probably a protein shake. I’ve always been kidded about my being “very protective about what I put into my body.” To me the body is like a fine instrument. And you’re careful about how you treat the instrument. That says it all.
36. Tell us something you never told anyone before?
Fears I’ve felt in my life. Being known as a ‘Tough Guy,’ you can never really let folks see another side. Guess I’m a “Tough Guy with a soft heart .”
