Nicky Katt, 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Boston Public' actor, dies at 54

Nicky Katt, a quality histrion who costarred successful Richard Linklater’s indie classical “Dazed and Confused” and the Fox bid “Boston Public,” has died. He was 54.

Katt’s decease was confirmed Saturday by his lawyer John Sloss. The origin of decease was not disclosed.

Born May 11, 1970, successful South Dakota, Katt started retired arsenic a kid actor, appearing successful specified TV bid arsenic “Quincy, M.E.,” “Father Murphy,” “Fantasy Island” and “CHiPs.”

As an adult, Katt developed a estimation for taking connected roles that required him to play unsavory types. In a 2002 interrogation with The Times, manager Steven Soderbergh described Katt’s enactment arsenic “dangerously retired of control” but rigorously prepared for his performances.

Katt’s breakthrough came successful “Dazed and Confused,” playing bully Clint Bruno successful the 1993 coming-of-age stoner drama astir students successful Austin, Texas, celebrating the past time of precocious schoolhouse successful 1976. The movie helped propel the careers of Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck and Parker Posey.

Nicky Katt during “Solaris” Los Angeles premiere astatine Pacific Cinerama Dome successful Hollywood successful 2002.

(Steve Granitz / WireImage)

For Katz, it led to dependable enactment that included playing Bond villain Billy Ray Cobb successful “A Time to Kill,” a cutthroat stockbroker successful “Boiler Room,” a hitman successful Soderbergh’s “The Limey” and a theatre histrion who portrays Adolf Hitler successful the director’s 2002 movie “Full Frontal.” He besides appeared successful “Batman & Robin” and “The Dark Knight.”

Katt continued to bash television, landing his biggest prime-time relation connected “Boston Public,” a play from David E. Kelly acceptable successful an municipality precocious school. Katt played teacher Harry Senate for the archetypal 3 seasons. His past listed acting recognition is simply a relation connected the 2018 Hulu bid “Casual.”

In a 2002 interrogation with The Times, Katt expressed ambivalence astir chasing occurrence successful Hollywood.

“Sometimes I deliberation if I did much sit-ups and went to the tanning salon, I could person a batch much powerfulness than I bash now,” helium said. “At the extremity of the day, you bash what your gut tells you to do.”