Quick Facts
Biography
Howard Platt (born June 5, 1938) is an American stage and television actor, singer and director, best known for his role as "Officer Hopkins", or "Hoppy" in the NBC TV series Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1976. Platt, a veteran of nearly four decades, has appeared in at least 100 plays assuming the roles of everyone from Abraham Lincoln to Santa Claus to Frank McCourt and brother, Malachy.
Career biography
Platt has made numerous comedic and dramatic appearances on television, most recently as Rev. Weber in What About Joan? Along with his role as Hoppy on Sanford And Son, Platt has also had guest roles as Dr. Phil Newman on The Bob Newhart Show, Max on Alice, Major Ted Spector on M*A*S*H, and Judge Jonathan Stockfish on Evening Shade. As a series regular he played Captain Doug March on the 1978-1979 CBS-TV sitcom Flying High. His many movie roles include T.R. Baskin, Nixon, The Cat from Outer Space, and Norma Jean & Marilyn.
Directorial credits
As a director, Platt has directed a dozen shows including A Couple Of Blaguards, Don't Dress For Dinner, Pump Boys And Dinettes, Love Letters and Steel Magnolias. Among 20 shows.
Platt was involved in producing in Chicago with Cullen, Henaghan and Platt, his association with Robert Whitehead during the first Broadway Alliance production, Steve Tesich's Speed of Darkness, was a theatrical high point.