GEORGE GAYNES

Like many from his generation, George Gaynes also served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II. It was after his service that he moved to the US and became a citizen—starting his foray into theatre and Broadway. As a film actor, his most notable work includes portraying Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series, as well as his appearance in the film Tootsie, playing John Van Horn.

George’s TV credit is just as distinguished, winning hearts over with his role as Henry Warnimont on the series Punky Brewster. Thanks to years of training at the Actors Studio in New York City, he became a regular actor for multiple TV series and films. His wife, Allyn Ann McLeries, was also an actress, and they worked together in sitcoms like The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd and Punky Brewster. George passed away in 2016 due to natural causes at the age of 98 in North Bend, Washington.