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John Hancock (actor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Hancock
Hancock as "Fat Freddy" in the 1984 action-comedy City Heat.
Born(1941-03-04)March 4, 1941
DiedOctober 12, 1992(1992-10-12) (aged 51)
Years active1969–1992

John Hancock (March 4, 1941 – October 12, 1992) was an American actor.

Early life

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Born in Hazen, Arkansas, Hancock moved to Detroit, Michigan with his parents. Hancock went to Wayne State University in Detroit. He was employed at Mid-Town Market to pay his way through college. Hancock is possibly best remembered for his role as "Scotty" in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.[1] His large size and distinctive bass voice allowed him to establish a niche playing authority figures, and he was often cast as a minister, judge or high-ranking military officer.[1]

Career

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Hancock also made recurring appearances in several television shows during his career, including Knots Landing, Cheers, Family Ties, Diff'rent Strokes, Cop Rock, The Dukes of Hazzard, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Murder She Wrote, Amen, Midnight Caller, Pacific Station, Family Matters, and L.A. Law. He was working with Susan Dey on the CBS sitcom Love & War as the bartender "Ike Johnson" in 1992, when he died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles.[2] Hancock's character's death was subsequently written into the series and he was replaced by actor Charlie Robinson.

Hancock was interred in the Devotion section, at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Brother John Henry's Friend
1974 Cyrano de Bergerac Cut Purse
1978 Foul Play Coleman
1979 The In-Laws T Man #1
1979 10 Dr. Croce
1980 The Black Marble Clarence Cromwell
1980 First Family President Mazai Kalundra
1980 White Mama Tall Black Man
1981 ...All the Marbles Big John' Stanley, TTs Promoter
1982 Airplane II: The Sequel Controller #1
1982 Incredible Hulk Isaac Whittier Ross
1983 The Sting II Doc Brown
1983 Deal of the Century Baptist Minister
1984 Tank Mess Sergeant
1984 A Soldier's Story Sergeant Washington
1984 City Heat Fat Freddy
1986 Crossroads Sheriff Tilford
1987 Catch the Heat Ike
1987 Dead Aim Talbot
1988 Big Business Older Harlan
1988 Traxx Chief Emmett Decker
1989 Rapid Fire Marine / Sailor #20
1989 Collision Course Lieutenant Ryerson
1989 Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat Quinton Canada
1990 Why Me? Tiny
1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities Reverend Bacon

References

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  1. ^ a b Biography for John Hancock, Turner Classic Movies
  2. ^ "John Hancock; Actor, 51". The New York Times. October 15, 1992.
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