William Katt was 66 yesterday. You may have to Google his name to find out about the actor that starred in the TV series Greatest American Hero, but did you know he may have been the first Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars movie?

Katt got his break on the big screen in the 1976 Brian DePalma  horror movie classic, Carrie, based on the book written by Stephen King. Then in 1981 lightning struck twice.

The Greatest American Hero was a comedy television series that aired for three seasons in the early 80's. The series featured Katt as a high school teacher. After an encounter with a group of aliens, he received a red suit that gave him superhuman powers.

Katt also spent years five season working with his mom, Barbara hale, and Raymond Burr in the Perry Mason television movies. Katt referred to Raymond Burr as "Uncle Raymond" as he grew up around the set of the original Perry Mason TV series that ran from 1957-1966. Katt also talks about his audition for Star Wars as he read for the part of Luke Skywalker and Kurt Russell auditioned for the character, Hans Solo.

Listen to our full interview with William Katt below.

 

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