FROM HARLEM HOODLUM TO HOLLYWOOOD HEAVYWEIGHT AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON!
From Harlem Hoodlum to Hollywood Heavy Weight by Hank Garrett and Deanna-Marie Smith
Hank Garrett was raised in a multi-cultural neighborhood. In the 1950s, poverty was a way of life. Survival was the goal and violence was the means. By age 12, Hank was carrying a .25 caliber handgun. He would either end up dead or in prison.
But a serendipitous meeting with Sammy Davis Jr. changed the trajectory of Hank’s life, and Hank stepped into the worlds of comedy, acting, martial arts, and wrestling. Lying about his age, at 17, Hank balanced a career as a pro wrestler with doing comedy acts at various clubs, all while still attending high school. By age 19 he had landed a role in a successful television series.
With success also came challenges, however. Hank experienced love, loss, injury, and discrimination. Opportunities were lost or stolen from him. But Hank persevered. The fight inside the man, which could have proved disastrous, became his greatest asset. From Harlem Hoodlum to Hollywood Heavyweight is a true story of survival, redemption, and hope….
Here is a great article from Nick Thomas “Tinsel Town Talks“
Tinsel Town Talks is syndicated in 150 papers including USA Today and Gannett Newspapers
About THE AUTHORS
HANK GARRETT
Actor / comedian / voice over artist, teacher — improv workshops, author, speaker, etc.
Hank has had a long, successful career as a performer, comedian, wrestler, and speaker. His incredible life story will be detailed in his forthcoming book!
Born Henry Greenberg Cohen Sandler Weinblatt, Hank Garrett has had careers in professional wrestling, acting, and comedy. Inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Garrett has also been recognized as an actor with a New York Film Critics’ Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. He is well known for his role as Officer Nicholson on the classic TV series Car 54, Where are You?, and his award-winning fight scene as the postman in the movie Three Days of the Condor, with Robert Redford.
Garrett’s current work includes motivational speaking and working with incarcerated youth. He brings personal perspective and an understanding of poverty and life on the streets, and hopes to encourage and inspire young people to reach their potential. He is the co-creator of the Hank Garrett Young Storyteller’s Award, which recognizes the creative achievements of youth 15 and younger.
Deanna-Marie Smith (aka "Red Warrior")
Deanna-Marie Smith (aka “Red Warrior”) is a writer with an eclectic background from international fashion design to Wall Street and then Hollywood. DM enjoyed a successful career as an international fashion designer of women’s clothes, designing for mass market and individuals. She also designed fashions for presenters on game show Let’s Make a Deal when it came back on the air. She is currently working on a documentary on what it is like to live, work, and play in Hollywood.
