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William Theodore Katt (born February 16, 1951, Los Angeles) is an American actor and musician. The son of actors Barbara Hale and Bill Williams, Katt made his credited feature debut in 1971 and first gained wide attention as Tommy Ross in Brian De Palma’s landmark horror film Carrie (1976). He went on to lead roles in films such as First Love (1977), Big Wednesday (1978) and Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) before winning his best‑known television role as Ralph Hinkley in the ABC series The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983). Across the 1980s and later decades Katt balanced theatrical pictures, television movies (notably the Perry Mason TV films), guest television work and voice roles. He remains active in independent films, conventions and occasional TV guest appearances.

... Raised in a show‑business family in Southern California, William Katt trained in theatre and summer stock before establishing a screen career in the 1970s. After a credited feature debut in 1971 he broke through with the prom‑date role Tommy Ross in Brian De Palma’s Carrie (1976). Late‑1970s performances in John Milius’s surfing drama Big Wednesday (1978) and the western prequel Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) helped consolidate his leading‑man profile. In 1981 Katt was cast as Ralph Hinkley, the well‑meaning schoolteacher at the centre of the cult television comedy‑drama The Greatest American Hero, a part that remains his signature credit. During the 1980s he released a soft‑rock album under the name Billy Katt and appeared in genre films such as Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and the horror/comedy House. From 1985–1988 he played Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies, co‑starring with his mother, Barbara Hale. In the 2000s and 2010s Katt returned to genre and independent films (including The Man from Earth), continued guest‑starring on series such as JAG and lent his voice to animated programmes. He also makes frequent convention appearances and participates in retrospective interviews about his career. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Katt reached the height of his mainstream visibility as Ralph Hinkley, the well‑meaning schoolteacher at the center of the cult ABC series The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983), a part that became his signature credit. Across the decade he worked steadily, balancing theatrical pictures with television movies — notably appearances tied to the Perry Mason TV film series — alongside guest television roles and voice work. The combination of a high‑profile TV lead and ongoing screen work kept him a recognizable presence and cemented his status as a familiar leading man from the late 1970s into the 1980s. Now (2026) As of 2026 Katt, in his mid‑70s, remains active in independent films, makes regular appearances at fan conventions and accepts occasional television guest and voice roles. He continues to be identified with his breakout turn in Carrie and, above all, with The Greatest American Hero, which endures as his defining credit and a touchstone for fans. His long career is remembered for its steady genre work, television visibility and an approachable leading‑man persona that has sustained his legacy. Career timeline 1951 Born February 16, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Barbara Hale and Bill Williams. 1971 Credited feature film debut in The Late Liz. 1976 Appeared as Tommy Ross in Brian De Palma’s film Carrie, earning wide notice. December 1975 Auditioned for the role of Luke Skywalker in the production that became Star Wars; footage of the audition has appeared in documentaries. 1978 Co‑starred as Jack Barlow in John Milius’s surfing drama Big Wednesday. 1981–1983 Starred as Ralph Hinkley in the ABC television series The Greatest American Hero. 1982 Released the soft‑rock album Secret Smiles under the billing Billy Katt. 1985–1988 Portrayed Paul Drake Jr. in a series of Perry Mason television films alongside his mother, Barbara Hale. 2007 Appeared as Art in the independent, dialogue‑driven science‑fiction film The Man from Earth. 2010 Guest‑starred on Tyler Perry’s sitcom House of Payne (season 6) as C.J. Payne’s musician birth‑father. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.William Katt biography and filmography Public biography and credit reference.William Katt IMDb credits Biographical and credit details were checked against William Katt biography and filmography, William Katt IMDb credits.