Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesTony and Emmy Award-winning actor Ken Howard has died. Howard, perhaps best known for his role in the TV series The White Shadow, passed away at his L.A. home on Wednesday. He was 71.
In addition to his work as an actor, Howard also served as the president of the performers union SAG-AFTRA for many years. In a 2014 interview, Howard said that he felt that being president of the union was “the most important thing I have ever done.”
Getting his start in showbiz working as a page on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Howard made his Broadway debut in 1968 in Neil Simon‘s Promises, Promises, and later appeared in 1776 and other productions. He made his movie debut opposite Liza Minnelli in Otto Preminger‘s Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, and subsequently appeared in the movie version of 1776, Clear and Present Danger, Rambo IV, Michael Clayton, The Judge, The Wedding Ringer, In Her Shoes and dozens more films.
In 1978, the six foot-six actor starred in the TV show The White Shadow as Coach Ken Reeves, who led a racially-diverse basketball team at an inner-city high school. The show lasted three seasons and was considered groundbreaking for its socially relevant themes and diverse casting. Howard’s other TV work included appearances on Dynasty, The Colbys, 30 Rock, Blue Bloods, The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Boston Legal and more.
Howard is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda Fetters Howard, and three adult stepchildren from a previous marriage.
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