George Gaynes

George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917 – February 15, 2016) was a Dutch-American singer, actor, and voice artist. Born to a Dutch father and a Russian mother in the Grand Duchy of Finland of the Russian Empire, he served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II, and subsequently emigrated to the United States, where he became a citizen and began his acting career on Broadway.

Gaynes' most recognized roles in cinema were that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and as John Van Horn in the 1982 comedy film Tootsie. He appeared as the curmudgeonly but lovable foster parent Henry Warnimont on the NBC series Punky Brewster; as high-powered theatrical producer Arthur Feldman on The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd; as Senator Strobe Smithers in the hit TV show Hearts Afire; and as Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down on the soap opera General Hospital.

Early life Gaynes was born on May 16, 1917, in Helsinki, in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland, part of the Russian Empire (Finland became independent that year), the son of Iya Grigorievna de Gay (later known as Lady Abdy), a Russian artist, and Gerrit Jongejans, a Dutch businessman. He was raised in France, England, and Switzerland.

Gaynes graduated from the Collège Classique Cantonal near Lausanne in 1937. He also attended the Music School of Milan from 1938 to 1939, During this time, his best-known appearances were in Wonderful Town, the musical version of My Sister Eileen. Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and as Henry Higgins in the 1964 U.S. tour of My Fair Lady.

Entering films and television in the early 1960s, Gaynes was a regular on the TV daytime dramas Search for Tomorrow (replacing Robert Mandan in the role of Jo's husband, Sam Reynolds) and General Hospital (originating the role of mobster Frank Smith), and showed up in such movies as The Group (1966), Marooned (1969), and Doctor's Wives (1971). Behind the camera, he directed the last episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in 1982.

Personal life and death Gaynes was married to stage and television actress and dancer Allyn Ann McLerie from December 20, 1953, until his death; they had two children, Matthew Gaynes and Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown. Matthew was shortlisted for the US Olympic kayak team the year that President Jimmy Carter boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Matthew died in a car crash in India in 1989 on his way to Nepal to film a kayaking special for ESPN.

In addition to Gaynes joining the cast of his wife's series The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd in 1989, McLerie and he had previously worked together on Punky Brewster, when she guest-starred in a first-season episode.

Gaynes died at his daughter's home in North Bend, Washington, on February 15, 2016, aged 98.

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 Mr Taylor 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. 1980 Altered States Dr. Wissenschaft 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 FamousAngus 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. A Taxi Driver in 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 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 adapted from the Marvel Comics flagship title; 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 2003 Just Married Father Robert Romantic comedy film directed by Shawn Levy (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, the Bank Manager Season 1 Episode 11: "Ride the Nightmare" 1963 Empire 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). 1973Columbo 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 McCloud Floyd Spencer Episode: "Fire!" (S. 6: Ep. 3). 1976 Captains and the Kings Orestes Bradley Made-for-TV-Movie City of Angels Eisley Episode: "Palm Springs Answer" (S. 1: Ep. 7). Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Max Vincent Miniseries Black Sheep Squadron Gen. Chennault Episodes: 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 1980 Scruples John Prince TV Miniseries 1981 Evita Peron Evita's Doctor Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Marvin J. Chomsky. 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) 1984–88 Punky Brewster Henry Warnimont Contract role 1985–86 It's Punky Brewster Henry Warnimont (Voice) 26 episodes 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: 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).