Nicky Katt, the actor known for his unforgettable role as the menacing Clint Bruno in Dazed and Confused and for portraying passionate high school teacher Harry Senate in the drama series Boston Public, has died at the age of 54.
His death was confirmed by his attorney, John Sloss, though no cause or additional details were made public.
Born in South Dakota on May 11, 1970, Katt began his acting career as a child, with early credits in 1980s TV classics such as CHiPs, Code Red, Herbie, The Love Bug, and Voyagers!
He rose to prominence with his scene-stealing role in Richard Linklater’s 1993 cult classic Dazed and Confused, a nostalgic look at 1970s teen life that also launched the careers of Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, and Parker Posey.
Katt later earned widespread recognition for his performance in Boston Public (2000–2002), playing a bold and sometimes controversial educator navigating the challenges of an inner-city high school. His character was praised for its intensity and complexity, adding a distinctive edge to the ensemble cast.
Throughout his career, Katt amassed a diverse resume of TV and film appearances, including roles in Rules of Engagement, School of Rock, Sin City, King of the Hill, Monk, and Law & Order. His final on-screen credit was in the Hulu series Casual in 2018.
Katt leaves behind a legacy as a versatile character actor who brought grit, authenticity, and emotional depth to every role he played.
