George Gaynes, of 'Punky Brewster, 'Police Academy' Fame, Dies at 98
He was not on the list.
George Gaynes, who portrayed an irritable foster parent on
the '80s sitcom "Punky Brewster," the bewildered commandant in seven
"Police Academy" films and a soap opera star with a crush on Dorothy
Michaels, whom he doesn't know is Dustin Hoffman's character in drag, in the
hit feature comedy "Tootsie," died on Monday in North Bend, Wash. He
was 98.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Iya Gaynes Falcone
Brown, according to the New York Times.
Gaynes, who was not only a character actor but a baritone
singer, made hundreds of appearances both on TV comedies and dramas, as well as
35 films (counting both features and and made-for-TV movies) and many plays,
musical comedies and even operas in the U.S. and Europe.
While Gaynes became immediately recognizable to TV viewers
and filmgoers, he never achieved name recognition, let alone stardom.
On "Punky Brewster," Gaynes played building
manager Henry Warnimont, who finds an abandoned girl (Soleil Moon Frye) and
becomes her foster parent and eventually her adoptive father. The sweet
relationship between the two of them was the heart of the show.
The actor got the part after two of his most memorable
big-screen performances: in 1982's "Tootsie," and in 1984's first
entry in the long-running "Police Academy" franchise. (He appeared in
all seven of the movies.)
George Jongejans was born in Helsinki to a Russian mother
and Dutch father. Actor Gregory Gaye, who played a Nazi official in
"Casablanca," was an uncle.
Young George was raised in France, England and Switzerland.
World War II interrupted his burgeoning opera career. He was interned in Spain
for three months; after his release, he traveled to the U.K. and enlisted in
the Royal Dutch Navy.
After the war he went to New York, where he joined the New
York City Opera. But he considered himself more an actor than a singer.
He changed his last name to Gaynes and guested on TV series
including "The Defenders," "Mission: Impossible,"
"Bonanza," "Mannix," "Hogan's Heroes," "The
Six Million Dollar Man," "Hawaii Five-0" and "Chicago
Hope." In addition he appeared on the daytime soaps "General
Hospital" and "Search for Tomorrow." Film credits included
"The Way We Were," "Altered States" and "Wag the
Dog."
Gaynes recurred from 1987-91 on the critically acclaimed NBC
comedy "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd," starring Blair Brown and
Gaynes' wife, actress Allyn Ann McLerie; he was a series regular, as Sen.
Strobe Smithers, on the first season (1992-93) of Linda
Bloodworth-Thomason-created comedy "Hearts Afire," starring John
Ritter and Markie Post.
He retired in 2003 after appearing in the feature comedy
"Just Married," starring Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy.
Gaynes is survived by his wife, actress Allyn Ann McLerie;
his daughter, Brown; one granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters. His son,
Matthew, died in a 1989 car crash.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1963 PT 109 PT boat base commander A biographical war film, which depicts the actions of John F. Kennedy (JFK) as an officer of the United States Navy in command of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109, during the Pacific War of World War II., Uncredited
1964 Les félins
1966 The Group Brook Latham Ensemble film directed by Sidney Lumet, based on the novel of the same name by Mary McCarthy.
1969 Marooned Mission Director Eastmancolor film directed by John Sturges, based on the 1964 novel Marooned by Martin Caidin.
1971 Doctor's Wives Paul McGill drama film directed by George Schaefer.
1973 The Boy Who Cried Werewolf Dr. Marderosian Horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran.
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off Warren Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Douglas.
The Way We Were El Morocco Captain Romantic-drama film directed by Sydney Pollack.
1976 Harry and Walter Go to New York Prince Period comedy film, written by John Byrum & Robert Kaufman and directed by Mark Rydell.
Nickelodeon Reginald Kingsley Comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich.[15]
1980 Altered States Dr. Wissenschaft
Science fiction-horror film adaptation of a novel by the same name, by playwright and screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky.
The film was Chayefsky's only novel, while also being his final screenplay.
Both the novel and the film are based on John C. Lilly's sensory deprivation research conducted in isolation tanks under the influence of psychoactive drugs like mescaline, ketamine and LSD.
1982 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Dr. John Hay Forrest Comedy-mystery film directed by Carl Reiner.
Tootsie John Van Horn Comedy film directed by Sydney Pollack.
1983 To Be or Not to Be Ravitch War comedy film, directed by Alan Johnson and produced by Mel Brooks.
I'm Going to Be Famous
1984 Police Academy Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson.
Micki + Maude Dr. Eugene Glztszki Comedy film directed by Blake Edwards.
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris, and the first of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris, and the second of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1987 The Numbers Game Don Salvatore Directed and co-written by Giancarlo Giannini.
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Jim Drake, and the third of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
Un tassinaro a New York The Admiral Italian film directed and co-written by Alberto Sordi.
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Alan Myerson, and the fourth of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Comedy film directed by Peter Bonerz, and the fifth of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow
Comedy film directed by Alan Metter, and the final sequel in the Police Academy series.
Also known as Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow.
Vanya on 42nd Street Serybryakov An intimate, interpretive performance of the play Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, as adapted by David Mamet and directed by Louis Malle.
The Fantastic Four Professor An independent superhero film; unreleased.
1996 The Crucible Judge Samuel Sewall Drama film written by Arthur Miller adapting his play of the same title, inspired by the Salem witchcraft trials, and directed by Nicholas Hytner.
1997 Wag the Dog Senator Cole
Black comedy film produced and directed by Barry Levinson.
Screenplay by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet was loosely adapted from Larry Beinhart's novel American Hero.
2003 Just Married Father Robert Romantic comedy film directed by Shawn Levy.,[44]
(final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Cheyenne Rod Delaplane Episode: "Vengeance is Mine"
The Defenders John Ames Episode: "The Last Six Months" (S. 1: Ep. 27).
Hawaiian Eye Roger Korvin Episode: "The Broken Thread" (S. 4: Ep. 4).
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Mr. Campbell Episode: "Ride the Nightmare" (S. 1: Ep. 11).
1963 Empire N/A Episode: "The Four Thumbs Story" (S. 1: Ep. 15).
The Gallant Men Major Neumann Episode: "Operation Secret" (S. 1: Ep. 19).
East Side/West Side Mr. Stowe Episode: "Who Do You Kill" (S. 1: Ep. 7).
1965 The Patty Duke Show Gaylord Episode: "The Perfect Hostess" (S. 2: Ep. 18).
1968 Bonanza Purdy Episode: "The Late Ben Cartwright" (S. 9: Ep. 22).
Mannix Professor Brendan Episode: "Who Will Dig the Graves?" (S. 2: Ep. 8).
Mission: Impossible Dr. Paul van Bergner Episode: "The Elixir" (S. 3: Ep. 7).
1970 Hawaii Five-O Thurman Elliott Episode: "Kiss the Queen Goodbye" (S. 2: Ep. 25).
1971 Hogan's Heroes 3 Star US Army Air Corp General Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go" (S. 6: Ep. 15).
Search for Tomorrow Sam Reynolds Replacement for Robert Mandan.
1972 Columbo Everett Episode: "Étude in Black" (S. 2: Ep. 1).
Search Major Giles Matthews Episode: "In Search of Midas" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
1973 Columbo Frenchman Episode: "Any Old Port in a Storm" (S. 3: Ep. 2).
1974 The Six Million Dollar Man General Wiley Episode: "Nuclear Alert" (S. 2: Ep. 1).
Cannon Edward Foxworth Episode: "The Avenger" (S. 4: Ep. 7).
McMillan & Wife Burton Rohner Episode: "Guilt by Association" (S. 4: Ep. 4).
1975 Trilogy of Terror Dr. Chester Ramsey
Made-for-television anthology-horror film, first aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on 4 March 1975.
Directed by Dan Curtis.
Also known in the United States as Tales of Terror, or Terror of the Doll.[45]
McCloud Floyd Spencer Episode: "Fire!" (S. 6: Ep. 3).
1976 Captains and the Kings Orestes Bradley Made-for-TV-Movie[46][47][48]
City of Angels Eisley Episode: "Palm Springs Answer" (S. 1: Ep. 7).
Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Max Vincent Miniseries[49]
Black Sheep Squadron Gen. Chennault Episodes:
"Flying Misfits, part 1" (S. 1: Ep. 1).
"Flying Misfits, part 2" (S. 1: Ep. 2).
The Quest Gotham Episode: "Day Of Outrage" (S. 1: Ep. 4).
Delvecchio Commissioner Schaub Episode: "Hot Spell" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
1977 Washington: Behind Closed Doors Brewster Perry Miniseries
Carter Country Murdock Episode: "Out of the Closet" (S. 1: Ep. 3).
1979 Quincy, M.E. Airline Executive Episode: "Aftermath" (S. 4: Ep. 16).
Stockard Channing in Just Friends Rock La Rue Episode: "Health May Be Hazardous" (S. 1: Ep. 5).
WKRP In Cincinnati Henri Episode: "Jennifer's Home For Christmas" (S. 1: Ep. 11).
1980 General Hospital Frank Smith Contract role
1981 Evita Peron Evita's Doctor Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Marvin J. Chomsky.[50]
1982 Quincy, M.E. Powell Dixon Episode: "The Unquiet Grave" (S. 7: Ep. 21).
1983 Cheers Malcolm Kramer Episode: "Where There's A Will" (S. 2: Ep. 12).
1984 Blue Thunder Doctor Willi Von Hartig Episode: "Payload" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
ABC Afterschool Special Cmdr. Arnold Arrangussen Episode: "Mom's On Strike" (S. 13: Ep. 4)
1984-87 Punky Brewster Henry Warnimont Contract role
1986 Hotel Gerald Milburn Episode: "Scapegoats" (S. 3: Ep. 12)
1987 Punky Brewster Lars Warnimont Episode: "It's a Dog's Life" (S. 3: Ep. 10).
Matlock Judge Hollis D. Dunaway Episodes:
"The Power Brokers, part 1" (S. 2: Ep. 5).
"The Power Brokers, part 2" (S. 2: Ep. 6).
1989 The New Lassie Mr. Ogilvy Episode: "Dangerous Party (a.k.a. Halloween)" (S. 1: Ep. 6).
1989–91 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Arthur Feldman Contract role
1992 Dinosaurs Elder in Chief Episode: "Nuts to War, part 2" (S. 2: Ep. 20).
1992–93 Hearts Afire Senator Strobe Smithers Contract role
1996 Chicago Hope Brook Austin Recurring role
1998 Police Academy: The Series Cmdt. Eric Lassard Episode: "Lend Me Your Ears" (S. 1: Ep. 15).
1999 Sliders Old Quinn Mallory Episode: "Roads Taken" (S. 4: Ep. 21).
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1963 PT 109 PT boat base commander A biographical war film, which depicts the actions of John F. Kennedy (JFK) as an officer of the United States Navy in command of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109, during the Pacific War of World War II., Uncredited
1964 Les félins
1966 The Group Brook Latham Ensemble film directed by Sidney Lumet, based on the novel of the same name by Mary McCarthy.
1969 Marooned Mission Director Eastmancolor film directed by John Sturges, based on the 1964 novel Marooned by Martin Caidin.
1971 Doctor's Wives Paul McGill drama film directed by George Schaefer.
1973 The Boy Who Cried Werewolf Dr. Marderosian Horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran.
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off Warren Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Douglas.
The Way We Were El Morocco Captain Romantic-drama film directed by Sydney Pollack.
1976 Harry and Walter Go to New York Prince Period comedy film, written by John Byrum & Robert Kaufman and directed by Mark Rydell.
Nickelodeon Reginald Kingsley Comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich.[15]
1980 Altered States Dr. Wissenschaft
Science fiction-horror film adaptation of a novel by the same name, by playwright and screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky.
The film was Chayefsky's only novel, while also being his final screenplay.
Both the novel and the film are based on John C. Lilly's sensory deprivation research conducted in isolation tanks under the influence of psychoactive drugs like mescaline, ketamine and LSD.
1982 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Dr. John Hay Forrest Comedy-mystery film directed by Carl Reiner.
Tootsie John Van Horn Comedy film directed by Sydney Pollack.
1983 To Be or Not to Be Ravitch War comedy film, directed by Alan Johnson and produced by Mel Brooks.
I'm Going to Be Famous
1984 Police Academy Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson.
Micki + Maude Dr. Eugene Glztszki Comedy film directed by Blake Edwards.
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris, and the first of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris, and the second of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1987 The Numbers Game Don Salvatore Directed and co-written by Giancarlo Giannini.
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Jim Drake, and the third of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
Un tassinaro a New York The Admiral Italian film directed and co-written by Alberto Sordi.
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Alan Myerson, and the fourth of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Comedy film directed by Peter Bonerz, and the fifth of six sequels in the Police Academy series.
1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow
Comedy film directed by Alan Metter, and the final sequel in the Police Academy series.
Also known as Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow.
Vanya on 42nd Street Serybryakov An intimate, interpretive performance of the play Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, as adapted by David Mamet and directed by Louis Malle.
The Fantastic Four Professor An independent superhero film; unreleased.
1996 The Crucible Judge Samuel Sewall Drama film written by Arthur Miller adapting his play of the same title, inspired by the Salem witchcraft trials, and directed by Nicholas Hytner.
1997 Wag the Dog Senator Cole
Black comedy film produced and directed by Barry Levinson.
Screenplay by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet was loosely adapted from Larry Beinhart's novel American Hero.
2003 Just Married Father Robert Romantic comedy film directed by Shawn Levy.,[44]
(final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Cheyenne Rod Delaplane Episode: "Vengeance is Mine"
The Defenders John Ames Episode: "The Last Six Months" (S. 1: Ep. 27).
Hawaiian Eye Roger Korvin Episode: "The Broken Thread" (S. 4: Ep. 4).
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Mr. Campbell Episode: "Ride the Nightmare" (S. 1: Ep. 11).
1963 Empire N/A Episode: "The Four Thumbs Story" (S. 1: Ep. 15).
The Gallant Men Major Neumann Episode: "Operation Secret" (S. 1: Ep. 19).
East Side/West Side Mr. Stowe Episode: "Who Do You Kill" (S. 1: Ep. 7).
1965 The Patty Duke Show Gaylord Episode: "The Perfect Hostess" (S. 2: Ep. 18).
1968 Bonanza Purdy Episode: "The Late Ben Cartwright" (S. 9: Ep. 22).
Mannix Professor Brendan Episode: "Who Will Dig the Graves?" (S. 2: Ep. 8).
Mission: Impossible Dr. Paul van Bergner Episode: "The Elixir" (S. 3: Ep. 7).
1970 Hawaii Five-O Thurman Elliott Episode: "Kiss the Queen Goodbye" (S. 2: Ep. 25).
1971 Hogan's Heroes 3 Star US Army Air Corp General Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go" (S. 6: Ep. 15).
Search for Tomorrow Sam Reynolds Replacement for Robert Mandan.
1972 Columbo Everett Episode: "Étude in Black" (S. 2: Ep. 1).
Search Major Giles Matthews Episode: "In Search of Midas" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
1973 Columbo Frenchman Episode: "Any Old Port in a Storm" (S. 3: Ep. 2).
1974 The Six Million Dollar Man General Wiley Episode: "Nuclear Alert" (S. 2: Ep. 1).
Cannon Edward Foxworth Episode: "The Avenger" (S. 4: Ep. 7).
McMillan & Wife Burton Rohner Episode: "Guilt by Association" (S. 4: Ep. 4).
1975 Trilogy of Terror Dr. Chester Ramsey
Made-for-television anthology-horror film, first aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on 4 March 1975.
Directed by Dan Curtis.
Also known in the United States as Tales of Terror, or Terror of the Doll.[45]
McCloud Floyd Spencer Episode: "Fire!" (S. 6: Ep. 3).
1976 Captains and the Kings Orestes Bradley Made-for-TV-Movie[46][47][48]
City of Angels Eisley Episode: "Palm Springs Answer" (S. 1: Ep. 7).
Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Max Vincent Miniseries[49]
Black Sheep Squadron Gen. Chennault Episodes:
"Flying Misfits, part 1" (S. 1: Ep. 1).
"Flying Misfits, part 2" (S. 1: Ep. 2).
The Quest Gotham Episode: "Day Of Outrage" (S. 1: Ep. 4).
Delvecchio Commissioner Schaub Episode: "Hot Spell" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
1977 Washington: Behind Closed Doors Brewster Perry Miniseries
Carter Country Murdock Episode: "Out of the Closet" (S. 1: Ep. 3).
1979 Quincy, M.E. Airline Executive Episode: "Aftermath" (S. 4: Ep. 16).
Stockard Channing in Just Friends Rock La Rue Episode: "Health May Be Hazardous" (S. 1: Ep. 5).
WKRP In Cincinnati Henri Episode: "Jennifer's Home For Christmas" (S. 1: Ep. 11).
1980 General Hospital Frank Smith Contract role
1981 Evita Peron Evita's Doctor Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Marvin J. Chomsky.[50]
1982 Quincy, M.E. Powell Dixon Episode: "The Unquiet Grave" (S. 7: Ep. 21).
1983 Cheers Malcolm Kramer Episode: "Where There's A Will" (S. 2: Ep. 12).
1984 Blue Thunder Doctor Willi Von Hartig Episode: "Payload" (S. 1: Ep. 8).
ABC Afterschool Special Cmdr. Arnold Arrangussen Episode: "Mom's On Strike" (S. 13: Ep. 4)
1984-87 Punky Brewster Henry Warnimont Contract role
1986 Hotel Gerald Milburn Episode: "Scapegoats" (S. 3: Ep. 12)
1987 Punky Brewster Lars Warnimont Episode: "It's a Dog's Life" (S. 3: Ep. 10).
Matlock Judge Hollis D. Dunaway Episodes:
"The Power Brokers, part 1" (S. 2: Ep. 5).
"The Power Brokers, part 2" (S. 2: Ep. 6).
1989 The New Lassie Mr. Ogilvy Episode: "Dangerous Party (a.k.a. Halloween)" (S. 1: Ep. 6).
1989–91 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Arthur Feldman Contract role
1992 Dinosaurs Elder in Chief Episode: "Nuts to War, part 2" (S. 2: Ep. 20).
1992–93 Hearts Afire Senator Strobe Smithers Contract role
1996 Chicago Hope Brook Austin Recurring role
1998 Police Academy: The Series Cmdt. Eric Lassard Episode: "Lend Me Your Ears" (S. 1: Ep. 15).
1999 Sliders Old Quinn Mallory Episode: "Roads Taken" (S. 4: Ep. 21).
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