Nicky Katt

Nicky Katt
Katt in Boiler Room (2000)
Born	Agustin Islas Katt (1970-05-11)May 11, 1970 Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
Died	c. April 8, 2025(2025-04-08) (aged 54) Burbank, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1980–2018
Spouse	Annie Morse ​ ​ (m. 1999; div. 2001)​

Agustin Islas "Nicky" Katt (May 11, 1970 – c. April 8, 2025) was an American and Mexican actor. He began his career as a child actor, and as an adult, frequently played unsympathetic characters or villains. He was known for his starring role as Harry Senate on the television series Boston Public (2000–2002), and his work with directors Richard Linklater and Steven Soderbergh, including subUrbia (1996), Dazed and Confused (1993) and The Limey (1999).

In addition to Linklater and Soderbergh, Katt played prominent supporting roles in multiple films by Robert Rodriguez and Christopher Nolan, including Insomnia (2002) and Sin City (2005). His other film credits included A Time to Kill (1996), Boiler Room and The Way of the Gun (both 2000), and Secondhand Lions (2003).

Early life

Katt was born Agustin Islas in Acapulco, Mexico, on May 11, 1970, the son of American costume designer Carol Katt and Mexican musician Agustín Islas, the bassist for the Mexican rock band El Klan. He was raised in the Los Angeles area, attending St. Paul's Lutheran School in North Hollywood before graduating from Providence High School in Burbank.

Career

Katt began his career as a child actor, professionally taking his mother's surname. He adopted the name Nicky at the suggestion of comedian Harvey Korman. He made his career debut in a 1980 episode of the television series Fantasy Island, followed by his first film role in Underground Aces (1981), and further TV roles in episodes of CHiPs, Father Murphy, and V.

As an adult, he was known for his role as unorthodox teacher Harry Senate on David E. Kelley's Fox drama series Boston Public. He was often cast as a villain, including as a murderous cop on the take in Monk, an irascible motorhead in Dazed and Confused, an ill-fated white supremacist child rapist in A Time to Kill, and an embittered business rival in Boiler Room. Katt's other roles include Tim in SubUrbia (1996), Stacy the hitman in The Limey (1999), Adolf Hitler in Full Frontal (2002), Fred Duggar in Insomnia (2002), Stuka in Sin City (2005), and Nate Petite in Snow Angels (2008). He voiced the character Atton Rand in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.

In 2004, he appeared in the Off-Broadway production of the Woody Allen play A Second Hand Memory.

Katt's last acting appearance was a 2018 episode of the television series Casual. In 2020, he participated in a virtual table read with the cast of Dazed and Confused.

Personal life

Katt was married to Annie Morse from 1999 until their divorce in 2001. He resided in Ben Lomond, California, in his final years, where he cared for his mother until her death in 2023.

Death

Katt was found dead by his landlord who went to collect his overdue rent on April 8, 2025, at his home in Burbank, California. He was 54, and had died by suicide by hanging. Katt appeared to have been dead for several days before his body was discovered.

Several of Katt's former collaborators paid tribute to the actor. Richard Linklater wrote, "Nicky had a deep love for the character actors of cinema history, and I think saw himself that way...I think he probably over-filled all his roles, which makes him memorable...That brilliant spark will be missed." Robert Rodriguez said, "Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera. A true artist. A friend."

Filmography