Paul Maslansky

Paul Marc Maslansky ( ; November 23, 1933 – December 2, 2024) was an American film producer and writer best known for the Police Academy franchise, and directing the Blaxploitation horror film Sugar Hill.

Early life Maslansky was born in Harlem, New York, on November 23, 1933. He played jazz for a living while briefly attending law school in New York. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1954.

Career Maslansky had 41 film credits as producer or executive producer. His first production credit was for 1964's Castle of the Living Dead, which starred Christopher Lee. Initially, Maslansky used his middle initial in his credits, though this was later dropped. Maslansky worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as producer, notable credits include Race with the Devil, Damnation Alley, The Villain, and Love Child. He also directed the Blaxploitation Southern Gothic horror film Sugar Hill (1974).

Maslansky was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the 1978 series King.

Maslansky had a breakthrough hit with Police Academy in 1984. From a budget of $4.1 million, the film grossed $155 million and spawned a film franchise and television series Police Academy: The Series, which Maslansky wrote.

He frequently made cameo appearances in the Police Academy movies.

Maslansky's notable credits following Police Academy include 1985's Return to Oz, 1990's The Russia House and Fluke in 1995.

The Lenfest Center for the Art's 'Maslansky Rehearsal Hall' in Lexington is named after him.

Filmography Maslansky was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film Year Film Credit Notes 1964 Castle of the Living Dead 1966 The She Beast 1970 Eyewitness 1972 Death Line 1974 Sugar Hill 1974 Miracles Still Happen Associate producer Uncredited 1975 Race with the Devil Executive producer Hard Times Executive producer 1976 The Blue Bird 1977 Damnation Alley 1978 Circle of Iron 1979 When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Co-producer Hot Stuff Executive producer The Villain Executive producer Scavenger Hunt Co-producer 1980 Ruckus 1981 The Salamander 1982 Love Child 1984 Police Academy Big Truck and Sister Clare Executive producer 1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Return to Oz 1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol 1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach 1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Honeymoon Academy Direct-to-video 1990 Ski Patrol Executive producer The Russia House 1993 Cop and a Half 1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow 1995 Fluke 2017 Death of the Sheik Executive producer Coming Through Slaughter Police Academy The First Force Executive producer

As writer Year Film Notes 1964 Castle of the Living Dead 1984 Police Academy Uncredited

As an actor Year Film Role Notes 1975 Race with the Devil Road Worker in Cowboy Hat Uncredited 1978 Circle of Iron Student at Temple 1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Man #4 in Police Line-up 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Retirement Home Warden 1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Homeless Man at Museum 1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Man at Precinct Payphone 2021 Silent Life Adolph Zukor

Production manager Year Film Role 1963 Jason and the Argonauts Unit manager 1969 The Red Tent Executive in charge of production

As director Year Film 1974 Sugar Hill

Second unit director or assistant director Year Film Role Notes 1975 Race with the Devil Second unit director Uncredited

Miscellaneous crew Year Film Role 1964 The Long Ships Assistant to producer

Television Year Title Credit Notes 1974 The Gun and the Pulpit Television film 1978 King 1987 CBS Schoolbreak Special Executive producer 1988 Police Academy Executive producer 1997–98 Police Academy: The Series Executive producer

As writer Year Title 1997–98 Police Academy: The Series

As an actor Year Title Role Notes 1997–98 Police Academy: The Series Grumpy Man at TableGrumpy Man in Convertible Uncredited