Believe it or not, we got him. Episode 16 is our conversation with William Katt, the star of The Greatest American Hero, the reluctant, manual-losing superhero every kid our age wanted to be. It aired October 20, 2016, and the two of us were genuinely high-fiving before the call, because this is the guy we watched fly across the screen and crash into walls every week.
Katt is thoughtful and funny and completely honest about a career most actors would kill for: the alien suit, the Star Wars audition that got away, growing up in a Hollywood family, and the cult horror-comedy that a whole generation remembers as their first scary movie. If you ever hummed that theme song, this one is for you.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- How creator Stephen J. Cannell flew his private jet to New York, saw Katt in a play, and won him over for a TV show he had no interest in doing. [08:30]
- Why playing a superhero in the early 80s was a genuine career risk, back before sci-fi and superhero franchises became the safest bet in Hollywood. [09:35]
- The famous lost instruction manual, and why never quite explaining the suit is exactly what made the show fun. [07:01]
- Losing the role of Luke Skywalker to Mark Hamill after auditioning alongside Kurt Russell, and the consolation prize that turned out to be Carrie. [16:03]
- His Hollywood parents, actor Bill Williams and Barbara Hale, Della Street on Perry Mason, and later acting beside his mom in the Perry Mason TV films. [19:02]
- Making the cult horror-comedy House with director Steve Miner and George Wendt, and the spear-gun scene he still calls one of the funniest he ever shot. [23:04]
- What the loyal fans at the sci-fi and horror conventions have come to mean to him after all these years. [25:33]
Katt has a wonderfully dry way of talking about the roles that got away. Asked about auditioning for Luke Skywalker, he summed up the whole thing with a shrug:
“I didn’t get Star Wars, but I got the booby prize.”
William Katt, on being cast in Carrie instead, [18:04]
He is far less flip about the man who gave him his signature role. Stephen J. Cannell, the writer and producer who created the show, made a lasting mark on him:
“Outside of my father, [he] has left one of the strongest watermarks in my life.”
William Katt, on Stephen J. Cannell, [09:03]
That mix of gratitude and good humor runs through the whole hour, whether he is talking about the five suits they made for the show, the chemistry with Robert Culp and Connie Sellecca, or why House keeps finding new fans among the 80s horror faithful.
About William Katt
William Katt was born February 16, 1951, into a Hollywood family: his father was actor Bill Williams and his mother was Barbara Hale, Della Street on the original Perry Mason. He first drew notice as Tommy Ross, Carrie’s ill-fated prom date, in Brian De Palma’s Carrie (1976), a role he landed after auditioning for Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. From 1981 to 1983 he starred as the reluctant, manual-losing superhero Ralph Hinkley on The Greatest American Hero, alongside Robert Culp and Connie Sellecca. He went on to the cult horror-comedy House (1985), one of the more beloved 80s cult classics, and played opposite his mother in nine Perry Mason television films between 1985 and 1988.
Original 2016 show notes
Bobby and Jason welcome their first REAL LIVE SUPERHERO!
Mr. WILLIAM KATT “The Greatest American Hero” joins the guys for this episode of the podcast!
You’ll be singing the theme song during the show as William shares memories and recollections that any kid who grew up in the 80s and had a TV will remember (and some things will surprise you as well!).
Bobby and Jason get all kinds of scoop about his roles and experiences from his movies “Carrie” and “House”. Not to mention his many many other TV appearances like “Perry Mason”.
Bet you didn’t know he wasthisclose to being LUKE SKYWALKER!
He’s also starred in another top sci-fi film “The Man From Earth”, one which has garnered a huge cult following. With a sequel “The Man From Earth: Holocene” coming out in 2017
If there is one thing Mr. Katt is…he is one BUSY guy! Not only does he make many appearances at various Cons (where he loves to meet and interact with his fans) but he’s got ANOTHER new movie “Subterranea” with Nick Turturro that comes out on October 25. You definitely wanna check that out!
So grab your cape, popcorn and toss the manual and settle in for this fantastic interview with the one and only Mr. William Katt!
Enjoy!
FAQ
Who is William Katt?
William Katt is the actor who starred as Ralph Hinkley on The Greatest American Hero (1981 to 1983), played Tommy Ross in Carrie (1976), and led the cult horror-comedy House (1985).
What is Episode 16 about?
It is a full interview with William Katt about the superhero suit, the lost manual, his Star Wars audition, his Hollywood parents, and the movies and shows fans still love.
When did this episode air?
It was released October 20, 2016, as part of Season 1.
Did William Katt audition for Star Wars?
Yes. He auditioned for Luke Skywalker alongside Kurt Russell before the role went to Mark Hamill, and you can still find his audition footage online. He was cast in Carrie around the same time.
Where can I listen?
Play it right here on the episode page, or find Bobby and Jason’s Awesome 80s Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music.
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