Howard Platt

Howard Thomas Platt (born June 5, 1938) is an American stage and television actor, singer and director, best known for his role as Officer Hopkins on the TV series Sanford and Son (1972–76). Platt wrote and performed “Riverwinds” for LaSalle: Expedition II in 1977.

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 (in a total of 6 episodes), Max on Alice, Major Ted Spector on M*A*S*H, and Judge Jonathan Stockfish on Evening Shade. He portrayed 5 different characters on Barney Miller.

As a series regular he played Captain Doug March on the CBS-TV sitcom Flying High (1978–79). His many movie roles include T.R. Baskin, Nixon, The Cat from Outer Space, Three the Hard Way, and Norma Jean & Marilyn.

Since the death of Hal Williams, Platt remains the last surviving cast member of Sanford and Son.

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.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1971 T.R. Baskin Arthur Alternative title: A Date with a Lonely Girl 1972 Prime Cut Shaughnessy 1973 Snatched First Detective Television film 1973 Westworld Supervisor 1973 Cry Rape Ben Warren Television film 1974 Busting Carletti 1974 Newman's Law Spink 1974 Three the Hard Way Keep 1975 The Trial of Chaplain Jensen Lieutenant Levin Television film 1976 The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday Vishniac 1976 The Boy in the Plastic Bubble Neighbor Television film 1978 Three on a Date Frank Television film 1978 The Young Runaways Bubba Television film 1978 The Cat from Outer Space Col. Woodruff 1978 Flying High Captain Doug March Television film 1979 Beyond Death's Door 1987 Walk Like a Man Fred Land 1992 Overexposed King Television film 1995 Nixon Lawyer at Party 1996 Norma Jean & Marilyn Howard Hawks Television film 1996 The Rock Louis Lindstrom 1997 Vegas Vacation Maitre d' 1997 Blast Janitor Supervisor 2008 The Lucky Ones Stan Tilson 2017 The Hippopotamus Supporting Artist

Television Year Title Role Notes 1972 Love, American Style Felix Episode: "Love and the Tycoon" 1972 The Rookies Reporter #2 Episode: "A Deadly Velocity" 1972–76 Sanford and Son Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins Recurring role (20 episodes) 1973 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law Cy Harmon Episode: "A Lesson in Loving" 1973 Chase Arnold Episode: "The Dealer-Wheelers" 1973–76 The Bob Newhart Show Dr. Phil Newman Recurring role (6 episodes) 1974 The Rookies Gentry Episode: "Trial by Doubt" 1974 Doc Elliot Harvey Episode: "The Brothers" 1974 Kojak Roy Benson Episode: "The Only Way Out" 1974 Sons and Daughters Ben Episode: "The Runner" 1975 Barney Miller Charles Hackman Episode: "Ms. Cop" 1977 Barney Miller Lawrence Weiskoff Episode: "Fire '77" 1977 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Sidney Tabor Episode: "The Disappearing Floor" 1977 Kingston: Confidential Grant Kibbee Episode: "The Boston Shamrock" 1978–79 Flying High Captain Doug March Main cast (18 episodes) 1979 Alice Max Episode: "Vera Robs the Cradle" 1979 M*A*S*H Major Ted Spector Episode: "Yessir, That's Our Baby" 1980 Alone at Last Harry Elliott Television pilot 1980 Young Maverick Mayor Leggett Episode: "Half-Past Noon" 1980 Alice Max Episode: "Cook's Tour" 1980–81 Sanford Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins Recurring role (5 episodes) 1981 Barney Miller Bill Nelson Episode: "Riot" 1981 Gimme a Break! Gus Lambert Episode: "Your Prisoner is Dead" 1982 Barney Miller Andrew Landry Episode: "The Clown" 1982 Herbie, the Love Bug Larry Episode: "Calling Dr. Herbie" 1982 Barney Miller Gordon Lynch Episode: "Bones" 1984 Empire Roger Martinson Main cast (6 episodes) 1985 I Had Three Wives Youngblood Episode: "Bedtime Stories" 1985 Small Wonder The Policeman Episode: "Brainwashed" 1993 Flying Blind Norman Episode: "The Long Goodbye" 1993 Tales of the City Mr. Wilson Television miniseries 1993 Evening Shade Judge Jonathan Stockfish Episode: "Witness for the Prosecution" 1994 Silk Stalkings Neil Jackman Episode: "The Deep End" 2001 What About Joan? Minister Episode: "Betsy's Wedding"