Shelly Novack

Sheldon Lennard "Shelly" Novack (January 10, 1944 - May 27, 1978) was a professional American AFL player and actor.

Football
Novack was an all-league and special mention Junior College All-American at Santa Monica City College (class of 1963), and 1 team All-American at Long Beach State in 1964 and 1965. In 1966, Novack was drafted as a wide receiver by the AFL's San Diego Chargers. After two seasons in San Diego, he met Universal acting coach Vincent Chase while playing in a touch football league off season. Chase invited Novack to the studios which led to Novack embarking on an acting career.

Acting
Novack made his screen debut in the Hallmark Hall of Fame television film A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer in 1968. Novack went on to appear in guest roles on television shows such as Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, The Love Boat,   and  Quincy, M.E.. He was also a regular on the Quinn Martin-produced TV shows The F.B.I (1973–74) and Most Wanted. In addition to television, he also had film roles such as Johnny Finney in 1969's Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here and as Rolling, the cockpit mechanic who assists in moving the stranded jet in Airport, released in 1970.

In 1977, Novack won the very first Toyota Grand Prix pro-celebrity race.

Death
On May 27, 1978, Novack died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, California at age 34. He is interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.