John Hancock

Who was John Hancock?

John Hancock was an American film and television actor.

Born in Hazen, Arkansas, Hancock is possibly best remembered for his role as "Scotty" in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. His large size and distinctive bass voice allowed him to establish a niche playing authority figures, and he was often cast as a minister, judge, or high-ranking military officer.

Hancock also made recurring appearances in several television shows during his career, including Knots Landing, Family Ties, Diff'rent Strokes, Cop Rock,The Dukes of Hazzard, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Amen, Midnight Caller, Pacific Station, and L.A. Law. He was working with Susan Dey on the CBS sitcom Love & War as the bartender "Ike Johnson" in 1992, when he died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. The TV actor ironically was found dead, seated in front of his television set. He was 51. He was immediately survived by his parents. Hancock's character's death was subsequently written into the series and he was replaced by actor Charles Robinson.

Hancock was interred in the Devotion section, at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.