William Katt- Biography

Also Credited As:

Bill Katt, William Theodore Katt

About William Katt

He went on to appear in such films as the surfer feature "Big Wednesday" (1978), the Western prequel "Butch and Sundance: The Early Years" (1979) and the horror film "House" (1986). Much of Katt's subsequent feature work has been released direct to video.

On the small screen, Katt made his debut as star of the fantasy series "The Greatest American Hero" (ABC, 1981-83), playing a mild-mannered school teacher who is endowed with super human powers when he dons a special costume. He received kudos for his sensitive portrayal of a retarded young man in the TV-movie "The Rainmaker" (1982) before co-starring with his mother, Barbara Hale, in a series of Perry Mason TV-movies beginning with "Perry Mason Returns" (1985) and seven follow-ups in which he played Paul Drake, Jr., offspring of Perry's personal private investigator (William Hopper).

Partners

Companion

Amy Irving. Dated before filming of "Carrie"

Wife

Deborah Kahane. married on July 2, 1979

Family

Mother

Barbara Hale. best-known as Della Street on "Perry Mason"

Son

Clayton Alexander Katt. born on January 27, 1980

Son

Emerson Hunter Katt. born on April 5, 1985

Education

Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa , California

Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Workshop, Los Angeles , California

Career Milestones

Did six year stint in the US Air National Guard

Grew up in Southern California

Had recurring role on "Models Inc." (Fox)

Stage acting debut at the South Coast Repertory Theater in "We Bombed in New Haven"

1971

Feature debut, "The Late Liz"

1976

Breakout role in a feature, "Carrie"

1978

First starring role in a feature, "Big Wednesday"

1981

TV debut as star of fantasy series, "The Greatest American Hero"

1982

TV-movie debut, "The Rainmaker"

1985

Co-starred with his mother Barbara Hale in a series of Perry Mason reunion TV-movies beginning with "Perry Mason Returns"

1986

Regular role in a series, "Our House"

1989

Star of short-lived TV series, "Top of the Hill"

1991

Had featured role on the short-lived series "Good Sports" (CBS)

1999

Feature directorial debut, "The Clean and Narrow"; also co-wrote script