# 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, 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.

## 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 | 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" |