Shelly Novack was a talented athlete and actor who had a promising career in both fields. He played football for Santa Monica City College, Long Beach State, and the San Diego Chargers. He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as Airport, The F.B.I., and Most Wanted. However, his life was cut short by a fatal heart attack at the age of 34. What caused his sudden demise? According to some sources, cocaine was a major factor.
Shelly Novack’s Football Career
Shelly Novack was born on January 10, 1944, in Los Angeles County, California. He was a star athlete at Venice High School and later at Santa Monica City College, where he was an all-league and special mention Junior College All-American. He transferred to Long Beach State and became a first-team All-American in 1964 and 1965. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 15th round of the 1966 American Football League draft, but he never played in a regular season game. He spent two seasons with the Chargers before retiring from football.
Shelly Novack’s Acting Career
Shelly Novack’s acting career began when he met Vincent Chase, a Universal Studios acting coach, while playing in a touch football league during the offseason. Chase invited Novack to a meeting at the studios, which led to Novack landing his first role in the Hallmark Hall of Fame television film A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer in 1968. He went on to appear in guest roles on various TV shows, such as Ironside, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, Quincy, M.E., The Virginian, and The Love Boat. He was also a regular on the Quinn Martin-produced TV shows The F.B.I. (1973-74) and Most Wanted (1976-77). In addition to television, he performed in a few theatrical film releases, such as Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969) and Airport (1970). In 1977, he won the first Toyota Grand Prix pro-celebrity race.
Shelly Novack’s Death
On May 27, 1978, Shelly Novack died of a heart attack in Santa Monica, California. He was only 34 years old. He left behind his wife Colleen Belle Johnson and their son Jason. He is buried in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
What caused his premature death? According to producer Quinn Martin, Novack was doing cocaine during his time on Most Wanted and had been using it for years. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. It can also cause irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and heart failure. With Novack being a former professional athlete in relatively good health and only age 34, cocaine was likely a contributing cause of his fatal heart attack.
Shelly Novack was a talented and versatile person who had a lot to offer to the world of sports and entertainment. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by a drug that can have devastating effects on the heart. His story is a tragic reminder of the dangers of cocaine abuse and addiction.
