Fred Otash (January 7, 1922 – October 5, 1992) was a Los Angeles police officer, private investigator, author, and a WWII Marine veteran, who became known as a Hollywood fixer, while operating as its "most infamous" private detective; he is most remembered as "the inspiration for Jack Nicholson's character Jake Gittes in the film, Chinatown.
[3] Otash worked for Hollywood Research Incorporated, which did business with the tabloid magazine Confidential.
[4] An FBI file released as part of the JFK Assassination Records suggest that Otash was investigating Lawford and John F. Kennedy, and attempted to talk a call girl into arranging a meeting with Kennedy in which she would wear a wire to record incriminating statements.
[citation needed] On January 6, 1950, Otash married film actress Doris Houck, at the Beverly Hills courthouse.
[8] The 1974 film Chinatown's main character, played by Jack Nicholson, was also based in part on Fred Otash.