FEATURE STAR PAGE
We all recognize Otto Felix as Officer Higgins from the hit TV series "BJ and the Bear" and "The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo". Otto appeared in 12 episodes in two seasons on BJ and the Bear as well as appearances in two Movies of the Week that were the pilot movies for both BJ and the Bear and Sheriff Lobo series. Otto has gone on to do many things in his career. This energetic, ambitious, never out-of-work celebrity is working on many enterprises at present keeping him extremely busy. Otto Felix was born in Pittsburgh, PA and spent 8 years in a Latrobe, PA orphanage until he was reunited with his mother. He attended Bellevue High School, but in the 11th grade, was expelled for riding his motorcycle into the school auditorium. He was sent to and graduated from Fishburne Military School in Virginia. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, Cambridge College in Boston and graduated from the Florida Engineering Institute and received an FCC First Class Engineers License. He studied photography and film psychology at UCLA. Otto was a semi-pro baseball player (catcher), a steelworker, motorcycle racer (pro 6 years), chicken deliverer, auto mechanic/body man, bartender and window displayman. He was a radio DJ, in Boston, Pittsburgh, Miami, Venice, Sarasota and Los Angeles. He is a member of the National Association of Broadcast Electrical Technicians (NABET/I.E.) and the Southern California Broadcasters Association (SCBA). He worked as an assistant cameraman at NBC on the Tonite Show, Days of Our Lives and many TV specials. As an actor Otto studied acting with Lee Strasberg, Jack Waltzer, John Erman and Dom Deluise (Beverly Hills Playhouse) and Charles Conrad for eleven years. He completed Robert McKee's Film Writing Seminar and the Direct National Arts Speaking Seminars.
Otto wrote, produced and directed the first TV commercial featuring handicapped performers and crew for GM/Cadillac. He also produced and directed dozens of variety shows, specials and fund raisers for the American Cancer Society, John Wayne Cancer Clinic, "The Beautiful People Awards", The Performing Arts Theater for the Handicapped, Handicapped Artists, Performers and Partners, Inc. Awards and won the Ahmason Award for producing/directing the documentary "Our Path" at Paramount Pictures.
WROTE/PRODUCED/HOST:
"The Morning News" at WCSB and his own Radio Show, WEZI, while attending Cambridge College, Boston, Mass. (1964-1965)
South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000)
Otto Felix has completed 4 film projects, 2 of which were shown at Sundance and Cannes film festivals. "South Of Heaven, West Of Hell" writer/associate producer, in collaboration with Dwight Yoakam, who directed, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Vince Vaughn, Peter Fonda and Bridget Fonda. And the short, "Famous Blue Raincoat".
Presently he is in pre-production on 2 film projects he wrote and is producing/directing "Wheels" and "The First Real Pirate". Also he wrote, produced/directed the 1st TV commercial featuring handicapped actors and crew for GM/Cadillac. Otto has produced/directed dozens of variety shows and fundraisers for The American Cancer Society, John Wayne Cancer Clinic, The Beautiful People Awards, The Performing Arts Theater for Handicapped and Handicapped Artists, Performers & Partners Inc. Awards benefits. He won the Ahmason Award for producing and directing the documentary "Our Path" at Paramount Pictures.
FILM CREDITS: Actor
The Commission (2002), James Dean, (2001) ...Camera Assistant, South of Heaven-West of Hell, (2000) ...Tim "The Wrist", Out of These Rooms, Love Affair, All About Mary, The Fire Next Time, Judgement, (1990) ...Dr. Morgan A Bunnies Tale, Wipe Out, Flight 98, Rooster, Coach, (1978) ...Tom, Up in Smoke, (1978) ...Stoned Motorcycle Cop, Missouri Breaks, Run for the Money..Officer Higgins, Cycle Savage, Hawaii, 1776-1976, The Great Texas Dynamite Chase, (1977) Hotel Policeman, Guns, The Vet, Chatterbox, California Girls, Sgt. Matlovich's vs. USAF....Second Soldier, Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1986)..Agent Adler, Terror at Alcatraz (1982) ...Harve
TELEVISION APPEARANCES: Guest Star
Arrest and Trial, Viper, Unsolved Mysteries, P.S. I Love You, Hunter (1984 four episodes), Murder She Wrote (1984), Highwayman, Fritz and Bones, Knotts Landing, Magnum PI, Hill Street Blues, Fall Guy (1981 three episodes), Automan, Police Story, Co-Star BJ & the Bear (1979-1980), General Hospital (28 Shows), Bright Promises (16 Shows), Peyton Place (22 Shows).
TV COMMERCIALS: on camera
Over 300 including spokesman for Paine Webber, Sears, Chevrolet, National Guard, Foster Farms, Fred Meyer Stores, Mattel Toys, Safeway, RB Furniture and the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. He has appeared in over 1000 magazine ads, 7 national billboards and incorporated his voice impersonations of Donald Duck, Jack Nicholson, Jimmy Stewart, Wolfman Jack, Ed Sullivan, etc., into dozens of radio and TV spots and recently hosted the "Marty Awards" as Jack Nicholson.
PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Otto has written and published 9 books of poetry and photography. His photographs have appeared in TIME, People, Life, BAM, L.A. Weekly, Billboard, Drama Logue, Variety and Photographer. He won the Golden Boot Award for Best Country Album and The American Association of Photographers Award for best Black & White in 1989/90. Otto has collected from junkyards and restored 14 classic cars and motorcycles that he maintains and drives on a regular basis. He is the president of the California Association of Motorcyclists. (CAM)
Otto taught acting and show business techniques for the disabled at the Performing Arts Theater for the Handicapped (PATH) for 2 years and later founded Handicapped Artists, Performers and Partners, Inc., (HAPPI) now the largest and fastest growing, non-profit theatrical group for disabled performers in the country. He launched the 1st theatrical/commercial management group in the world to represent disabled performers, the H.I.T. Agency (HAPPI International Talent). Otto has voluntarily produced and directed dozens of variety and awards shows for HAPPI incorporating disabled talent performing with able-bodied actors, musicians and celebrities.
Otto continues to conduct his on-going Film Actors Workshop, (21 years) at Rose Alley Theater in Santa Monica.
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I would like to thank Mr. Felix for providing me with this information and photographs on this Feature Star page.
THANKS OTTO, YOU ARE THE BEST !!!!!!
