Trent Reznor Starred in 1985 ABC After School Special: High School Narc

A Madhouse Magazine team of investigative reporters unearthed a little known fact about dark rocker Trent Reznor. Did you know Reznor once starred in an ABC After School Special titled “High School Narc”?

Reznor of course is a musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer. He is best known as the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and principal songwriter of the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails.

Trent Reznor HS Narc

Trent starred as a youthful-looking 22-year-old police officer assigned to an undercover narcotics investigation. Andy, as he is called, is sent to a high school, where he poses as a student while trying to discover the identity of a drug supplier. Only the principal knows about the police operation. The principal is played by David Hasselhoff. The special also featured Joey Travolta, Michael Jackson (as himself), gymnast Cathy Rigby, ALF and Richard Roundtree.

Trent Reznor Starred in 1985 ABC After School Special: High School Narc

A young relatively unknown Nicolas Cage plays a student named Tim, who is part of the stoner crowd. Tim arrives to school late, wearing mirrored shades, and then sleeps through most of the class. Later we see him trying to work on a car while the engine is running, as his hair falls into his eyes. He bangs his head on the hood as he stands up. Michael Jackson is walking by and says “Just say No to drugs”.

Child Actor

Reznor told Madhouse News, “Yes that was me. I was a child actor, I did a few commercials, I did a Hot Wheels commercial, an Evel Knievel stunt cycle and a cereal commercial. Then I did a few guest roles on TV shows, Kojak, Facts of Life and The Incredible Hulk. High School Narc was my last acting role, it was a really crap show but it was fun working with Michael Jackson and Mister T. Right after that I dropped acting to become a musician. I think it was a wise choice.”

The ABC Afterschool Special is an American television anthology series that aired on ABC from October 4, 1972, to January 23, 1997, usually in the late afternoon on weekdays. Most episodes were dramatically presented situations, often controversial, of interest to children and teenagers. Topics included illiteracy, annoying parents, cannibalism, bestiality, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. The series won 51 Daytime Emmy Awards during its 25-year run.