Sandy Hackett

Short Biography

Sandy Hackett son of world-renowned legendary comedian, Buddy Hackett, was inspired at a young age to enter his father's world of comedy. Buddy was a powerful teacher and role model for Hackett. He taught by example, always reading and studying diligently, always re-examining his techniques, and ever the comic-genius guru to comedians old and young alike including his son.Hackett soon learned what many already knew, an evening with Buddy Hackett was an evening of comedy & entertainment at its best. [The senior Hackett passed away June 30, 2003.] This was the foundation from which Hackett began his development, growth and versatility as a performer, producer, writer and entertainer.At age eleven, Hackett accompanied his father for a scheduled appearance on the "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. " It was there that he caught the eye of the show's producers and made his first professional television debut. That's how it started.Hackett was the Director of Entertainment at UNLV for the last three semesters that he attended there before he graduated with a degree in Hotel Administration. Degree in hand, Hackett couldn't deny his innate love for the stage and was motivated to pursue opportunities in that direction, which ultimately resulted in his producing and hosting "The Sahara Showcase of Talent" on Monday nights at The Sahara Hotel & Casino's Casbar Theater.After a successful four-year run, and some acclaim for his subtle, Carson-esque hosting style, the show was renamed "Sandy Hackett's Talent Showcase" and ran for another decade, entertaining packed audiences. Due to it's popularity, Hackett hosted and produced the show not only at the Sahara in Las Vegas, but the Sahara Reno and Sahara Tahoe, and then the old Mint and Dunes Hotel & Casinos, where he introduced over ten thousand acts, including many first -time appearances on a Las Vegas stage by such entertainment phenoms as Andrew "Dice" Clay, Howie Mandel, Gary Muledeer, The Unknown Comic, Tony D'Andrea, Kenny Kerr, George Wallace, and many others. Sandy Hackett's Talent Showcase came to an end when they blew up the hotels he was working at while he was on stage to make way for what would become the new Las Vegas.For the next 40 years he led his people through the desert in search of the Promised Land, stopping at Comedy Clubs throughout the land to learn his craft and entertain the masses. His father came to see him one night and asked him to come and share the stage with him. It was a dream come true for the younger Hackett. He accepted and traveled and learned from the master for the next 10 years as road manager, stage manager, navigator, opening act and best friend.In 1990, Hackett opened his own comedy club in Laughlin, NV. His success there lasted throughout the 90's. His networking and organizational skills eventually opened up many show business ventures, and Hackett became an accomplished agent, manager, event planner, and buyer of talent when he became the Entertainment Director for Sun City Summerlin, booking talent for an incredible 400+ shows in two years at the intimate 320-seat Starbright Theater.When HBO announced it was going to do a movie about he legendary Rat Pack, longtime family friend, Joey Bishop, called Hackett and told him that he would be perfect for the role of Joey. Although the part eventually went to someone else, the idea of playing Bishop, a man Hackett grew up with and whom he long admired, struck a chord with him. Hackett decided to pen his own show recreating Bishop and his famous buddies ....and so, "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show" was born...and so was the baby Moses...but that's another story, for another time.Hackett's role as writer, director and star of "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show - Shadows in the Desert, " which he produces with his partner and beautiful, talented wife, producer/singer Lisa Dawn Miller Hackett, has led to his most current success. Together, they have two beautiful children, Oliver (13 years old), an incredible young, singer/actor, who has already shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and 7 year old daughter, Ashleigh, an amazing young actress/comedian who has already shared the stage with her father.