Harold Pruett
Harold P. Pruett (April 13, 1969 – February 21, 2002) was an American film and television actor. He appeared in over 30 films and TV series in the 1970s to the 1990s.
Harold Pruett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harold P. Pruett, Jr April 13, 1969 Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Died | February 21, 2002 (aged 32) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Accidental drug overdose |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
| Other names | Harrison Pruett |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1976–1998 |
| Spouse |
Jennifer Cattell (m. 2001) |
| Children | 1 |
Career
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Pruett made his acting debut at age five in the 1976 film Sybil, starring Sally Field. He went on to appear in Summer Camp Nightmare (1987), Embrace of the Vampire (1995) and Precious Find (1996).[1]
During the 1970s and 1980s, Pruett guest starred on numerous television series including Wonder Woman, The New Leave It to Beaver, It's Your Move, Eye to Eye, The Best Times, Hotel and Night Court. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he danced in several music videos including two for the pop singer Martika, "More Than You Know" (1989) and "Coloured Kisses" (1992).
In 1990, Pruett had his first co-starring television role on the NBC musical teen drama Hull High.[1] Due to low ratings, the series was canceled in October 1990 after nine episodes.[2] Later that year, he was cast as Steve Randle in the television adaptation of the 1967 S. E. Hinton novel The Outsiders, shown on Fox. That series was also canceled after one season because of low ratings.[3] From 1992 to 1993, he had a recurring role as Brad Penny on the teen sitcom Parker Lewis.[1] In 1995, he co-starred on another short lived Fox series, Medicine Ball.[4] His last television appearance was in a recurring role on the Fox teen drama series Party of Five, in 1996.[5] Pruett's final film appearance was in the independent drama The Right Way (1998), starring Geoff Pierson.
Death
On February 21, 2002, Pruett died of an accidental drug overdose in Los Angeles.[1] His funeral was held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where he was interred. Pruett was survived by his wife, Jennifer Cattell, his son Tannen, his parents Andrea and Harold, and a brother.[6]
Pruett's mother and friends created the Harold Pruett Drug Abuse Foundation in his memory.[7]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Pennies from Heaven | Minor role | Uncredited |
| 1987 | Summer Camp Nightmare | Chris Wade | Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1988 | Spellcaster | Tom | |
| 1995 | Embrace of the Vampire | Chris | Credited as Harrison Pruett |
| 1996 | Precious Find | Ben Rutherford | |
| 1998 | The Right Way | ||
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Sybil | Danny | Miniseries |
| 1978 | Wonder Woman | Boy | Episode: "Stolen Faces" |
| 1979 | Mirror, Mirror | Joey McLaren | Television movie |
| 1982 | Crisis Counselor | Episode: "Pill Addiction" | |
| 1983 | ABC Afterschool Special | Neighbor boy | Episode: "The Woman Who Willed a Miracle" Uncredited |
| 1985 | The New Leave It to Beaver | Ron | Episode: "Movin' On" |
| 1985 | It's Your Move | Boy No. 1 | Episode: "The Dregs of Humanity" (Part 1) |
| 1985 | Eye to Eye | Episode: "Dick & Tracey" Credited as Harold P. Pruett | |
| 1985 | The Best Times | Wally | Episode: "Snake Meat" Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1985 | Hotel | Rod | Episode: "Wins and Losses" |
| 1985 | Night Court | Joey | Episode: "Wheels of Justice" (Part 1) Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1987 | Our House | Mike | Episode: "The 100 Year Old Weekend" Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1987 | 21 Jump Street | Elly | Episode: "Blindsided" |
| 1988 | The Fortunate Pilgrim | Gino | Miniseries Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1988 | ABC Afterschool Special | Gary Watson | Episode: "Daddy Can't Read" |
| 1988 | Scandal in a Small Town | Michael Bishop | Television movie Credited as Harold P. Pruett |
| 1988 | Aaron's Way | Tony Falcone | Episode: "Strong Foundations" |
| 1989 | I Know My First Name is Steven | Birch | Miniseries |
| 1990 | Lucky Chances | Dario Santangelo | Miniseries |
| 1990 | Hull High | Cody Rome | 6 episodes |
| 1990 | The Outsiders | Steve Randle | 13 episodes |
| 1990 | Heat Wave | John Riggs | Television movie |
| 1992-1993 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose | Brad Penny | 8 episodes |
| 1993 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Ned Buchanon | Episode: "Bounty" |
| 1995 | Medicine Ball | Harley Spencer | 8 episodes |
| 1995 | Divas | Television movie | |
| 1996 | The Perfect Daughter | Ben Rutherford | Television movie |
| 1996 | Party of Five | Cooper Voight | 3 episodes |
References
- Lentz, Harris M., III (2003). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2002: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 246. ISBN 0-786-45207-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Weinstein, Steve (October 25, 1990). "NBC Pulls Plug on 'Hull High'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- "The Outsiders". Television Obscurities. February 1, 2004. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- "Cancellations mean Seattle is getting a lot less television exposure these days". Baltimore Sun. June 21, 1995. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
- "Harold Pruett". Variety. April 16, 2002.
- "Harold Pruett". Los Angeles Times. February 27, 2002. Retrieved June 3, 2021 – via Legacy.
- Cabe, Matthew (January 2, 2016). "'It's a big deal now'". Daily Press. Retrieved May 21, 2017.