Street Hawk (1985)
A daring undercover cop. A top-secret superbike. One short-lived but unforgettable 1985 ABC action series that left its mark on a generation.
Street Hawk - Series Information
- Original Title: Street Hawk
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Created by: Paul M. Belous, Robert Wolterstorff, Bruce Lansbury
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (55 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 4, 1985 (United States - TV-PG), January 4, 1985 (United Kingdom - PG), January 4, 1985 (Germany - 12), January 4, 1985 (Spain - 12)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Moto Laser (BR)
Street Hawk - Plot
Street Hawk is an American television series that aired for 13 episodes on ABC in 1985. The series is a Limekiln and Templar Production in association with Universal Television. Its central characters were created by Paul M. Belous and Robert "Bob" Wolterstorff, and its core format was developed by Bruce Lansbury, who had initially commissioned the program's creation. This series was originally planned for the fall of 1984, Mondays at 8:00PM Eastern/7:00PM Central. However, ABC executives changed their minds when the summer series Call to Glory did well, and Street Hawk was pushed to mid-season. Street Hawk made its debut on January 4, 1985 on ABC at 9:00PM Eastern/8:00PM Central and ran until May 16, 1985. Reruns aired on the USA Network on Saturdays at 10:00AM from 1990–91.
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Street Hawk - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Paul M. Belous
- Robert Wolterstorff
- Bruce Lansbury
Main Cast
- Rex Smith
- Joe Regalbuto
- Richard Venture
- Jeannie Wilson
- Ernie Anderson
- Raymond Singer
- Momo Yashima
- Paul Eiding
- Christopher Lloyd
- George Clooney
Writers
- Nicholas Corea
- Bruce Cervi
- Karen Harris
- Robert Wolterstorff
- Deborah Dean Davis
Street Hawk - FAQs
What is Street Hawk about?
Street Hawk follows Jesse Mach, an injured motorcycle cop recruited by a secret government program to ride Street Hawk — an experimental, heavily armed superbike capable of extraordinary speed. Operating undercover, he battles criminals while keeping the project hidden from the public and even his own department.
Did George Clooney and Christopher Lloyd appear in Street Hawk?
Yes, both appeared in guest roles before their careers took off. George Clooney played Kevin Stark, while Christopher Lloyd portrayed the villain Anthony Corrido. Their appearances make Street Hawk a fascinating time capsule, offering early glimpses of two actors who would go on to become major Hollywood names.
Where can you watch Street Hawk today?
Street Hawk is currently available to purchase on Amazon Video. Physical media releases have also made the series accessible to collectors. Availability may vary by region, so checking your local digital storefronts is recommended for the most up-to-date viewing options.
Why was Street Hawk cancelled after only one season?
Street Hawk struggled with scheduling instability from the start — originally planned for fall 1984, it was bumped to mid-season after ABC prioritized Call to Glory. Airing in a competitive time slot and failing to build a strong enough audience, the network did not renew it beyond its initial 13-episode run.
Is Street Hawk similar to Knight Rider?
The comparison is hard to avoid — both series feature a lone hero bonded with a high-tech vehicle fighting crime in 1980s America. Street Hawk swaps Knight Rider's talking car for a sleek superbike, leaning more into motorcycle action and undercover police work, but the DNA of both shows is unmistakably similar.
How many episodes does Street Hawk have?
Street Hawk ran for 13 episodes across its single season on ABC, airing from January 4 to May 16, 1985. Each episode runs approximately 55 minutes. The series also has 2 additional special episodes catalogued separately, bringing the total content to 15 entries in the series archive.
Who created Street Hawk and who produced it?
The central characters were created by Paul M. Belous and Robert Wolterstorff, with Bruce Lansbury developing the core format and initially commissioning the project. The series was a Limekiln and Templar Production made in association with Universal Television, and aired on ABC during the 1984–85 television season.
What shows are similar to Street Hawk?
Fans of Street Hawk tend to enjoy Knight Rider (1982) and Automan (1983) for their shared high-tech hero formula. Blue Thunder (1984) offers a similar blend of advanced machinery and action, while The Bionic Woman (1976) and The Green Hornet (1966) scratch the same itch for costumed or enhanced crime-fighters from the same era.
More About Street Hawk
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