Shelly Novack
Born
Sheldon Lennard Novack

(1944-01-10)January 10, 1944
Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
DiedMay 27, 1978(1978-05-27) (aged 34)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting placeHillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Alma materSanta Monica City College
California State University, Long Beach
Occupation(s)Football player, actor
Years active1964–1978
Spouse
Colleen Belle Johnson
​
​
(m. 1973⁠–⁠1978)​
Children1

Sheldon Lennard "Shelly" Novack (January 10, 1944 – May 27, 1978) was an American college and professional football offensive end, who was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 15th round (135th pick overall) of the 1966 American Football League draft.[1] After his retirement as a football player, Novack became an actor in both television and film.

Football career

Scholastic football

Novack was an all-league and special mention Junior College All-American at Santa Monica City College (class of 1963), and first-team All-American at Long Beach State in 1964 and 1965.

Professional football

In November 1965, Novack was drafted as a wide receiver by the American Football League (AFL) San Diego Chargers. He was the 135th pick in the 1966 AFL draft, but never played in a regular season game.

After two seasons in San Diego, Novack met Universal Studios acting coach Vincent Chase while playing in a touch football league during the offseason. Chase invited Novack to a meeting at the studios, which led to Novack embarking on an acting career.[2]

Acting career

In 1968, Novack made his screen debut in the Hallmark Hall of Fame television film A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer.[3] He went on to appear in guest roles on television shows such as Ironside, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, Quincy, M.E., The Virginian and The Love Boat.[4]

Novack was a regular on the Quinn Martin-produced TV shows The F.B.I. (1973–74) and Most Wanted. In addition to television, he performed in a few theatrical film releases, including Johnny Finney in 1969's Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here; and Rolling, the cockpit mechanic who assists in moving the stranded jet, in 1970's Airport.

In 1977, Novack won the very first Toyota Grand Prix pro-celebrity race.[5]

Death

On May 27, 1978, Novack died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, California at age 34.[4] He is interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1967–1970 The Virginian Various roles 5 episodes
1968 A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer Barney Television movie
1968–1974 Ironside Various roles 5 episodes
1969 The Outsider Edward Potolski Episode: "Service for One"
1969 The Bold Ones: The New Doctors H.P. Leader Episode: "The Rebellion of the Body"
1969 Willie Boy Johnny Finney
1969 Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here Johnny Finney
1969–1970 The Name of the Game Various roles 3 episodes
1970 The Forty-Eight Hour Mile Television movie
1970 McCloud James Waldron Episode: "Portrait of a Dead Girl"
1970 Airport Rolling
1970 Gunsmoke Adam Bramley Episode: "Stark"
1970 The Intruders Theron Pardo Television movie shot in 1967
1971 Dan August Matt Lawrence Episode: "Days of Rage"
1971 The Mod Squad Ed Kelton Episode: "The Sands of Anger"
1971 The D.A. Episode: "The People versus Boley"
1971 Cade's County Earl Grimes Episode: "Inferno"
1972 Emergency! Vern Hammond Episode: "Hang-Up"
1972 Kansas City Bomber Fan
1972 The Rookies Cody Episode: "Concrete Valley, Neon Sky"
1972 Banyon Episode: "The Old College Try"
1972–1975 Medical Center Various roles 3 episodes
1972–1976 The Streets of San Francisco Various roles 2 episodes
1973 Circle of Fear Art Episode: "Dark Vengeance"
1973 The Letters Sonny Television movie
1973 The Delphi Bureau Carson Episode: "The Self-Destruct Project"
1973 Toke
1973–1974 Kung Fu Various roles 2 episodes
1973–1974 The F.B.I. Agent Chris Daniels
1974 Kolchak: The Night Stalker York Episode: "Horror in the Heights"
1974–1977 Police Story Various roles 7 episodes
1975 The Desperate Miles Lou Television movie
1975 Cop on the Beat Henderson Television movie
1975 Medical Story Jerry Television movie
1975 Hawaii Five-O Officer Oliver MacDougall Episode: "Sing a Song of Suspense"
1975 Barnaby Jones Ralph Forester Episode: "Portrait of Evil"
1975 Switch Strayhorn Episode: "Mistresses, Murderers and Millions"
1976 Bert D'Angelo/Superstar Bobby Cox Episode: "Murder In Velvet"
1976 Good Heavens Andy Reed Episode: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
1976 Vigilante Force D.O. Viner
1976 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Wally Siebert Episode: "Wipe-Out"
1976–1977 Most Wanted Sgt. Charlie Benson 22 episodes
1977 The Love Boat Brad Brockway Episode: "The Captain and the Lady/One If by Land/Centerfold"
1977 Quincy, M.E. Ben Episode: "The Hero Syndrome"
1978 Superdome Peter Brooks Television movie
1978 Love's Dark Ride Karl Sears Television movie, (final film role)

References

  1. ↑ "1966 AFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. November 27, 1965. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Universal Studios' Flowering Talent". milwaukeejournal.com. The Milwaukee Journal. May 12, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Drama Fans Will Get A Taste Of Football". St. Petersburg Times. November 20, 1968. p. 12–D. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Biography for Shelly Novack". TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies. 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Catching On". The Los Angeles Times. April 19, 1977. p. D–3.
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