Sandy Hackett's early life was heavily influenced by his father, legendary comedian Buddy Hackett. Buddy, a powerful teacher and role model, was an avid reader who studied diligently to improve his comedy techniques. He taught his son by example, and Sandy soon learned that an evening with Buddy Hackett was an evening of comedy and entertainment at its best.
At the age of 11, Sandy accompanied his father to a scheduled appearance on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," where he made his first professional television debut. This early exposure to the entertainment industry sparked his interest in comedy and set the stage for his future career.
Sandy graduated with a degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV),and later served as UNLV's Director of Entertainment. He created and produced "Sandy Hackett's Talent Showcase" at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, introducing over ten thousand acts to the stage, including many first-time appearances by notable comedians and performers.
For the next 40 years, Sandy honed his craft, entertaining audiences at comedy clubs and learning from the best in the business. His father, Buddy, came to see him perform one night and asked him to share the stage. Sandy accepted and spent the next decade as his father's opening act, road manager, stage manager, navigator, and best friend.
Throughout the 1990s, Sandy successfully ran his own comedy club in Laughlin, Nevada, and worked as an agent, manager, event planner, and talent buyer. He became the Entertainment Director for Sun City Summerlin, booking talent for over 400 shows at the Starbright Theater and turning the venue into a profitable operation.
When HBO announced a movie about the Rat Pack, Sandy was approached by longtime family friend Joey Bishop to play him in the film. This inspired Sandy to create his own show, "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show," which recreates the legendary performances of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop.
Sandy partnered with his wife, Lisa Dawn Miller, to develop the show, which has been touring nationwide for over 11 years to critical acclaim. The show has earned thousands of fans worldwide and has been praised by critics for its energy, creativity, and tributes to the original Rat Pack members.
In 2014, Sandy and Lisa created "My Buddy," a live theatrical production about the life of Buddy Hackett, starring Sandy. The show focuses on the deep bond between Buddy and his only son and has received wonderful reviews and standing ovations.
Sandy and Lisa live in Los Angeles with their two children, Oliver and Ashleigh, both of whom are students of the performing arts.
