George Gaynes

George Gaynes

George Gaynes in 1964
Born George Jongejans
(1917-05-03)May 3, 1917
Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Died February 15, 2016(2016-02-15) (aged 98)
North Bend, Washington, U.S.
Nationality Dutch (1917–1948)
American (1948–2016)
Occupation Actor · Voice actor · Singer · Comedian
Years active 1940–2003
Known for Police Academy
Punky Brewster
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Allyn Ann McLerie (m. 1953; his death 2016)
Children Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown
Mathew Gaynes
Parent(s) Gerrit Jongejans (father)
Iya Grigorievna de Gay (mother)
Relatives Gregory Gaye (Uncle)

Military career

Allegiance The Netherlands
Service/branch Royal Netherlands Navy
Years of service 1943–1946
Rank Sergeant
Unit HNLMS Oranje Nassau
HMS Hilary
HMS Wilton
Battles/wars

World War II

George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 3, 1917 – February 15, 2016)[1] was an American singer, actor, voice artist, and comedy performer of stage, screen, and television. Born to Dutch and Russian parents in Finland, he served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II and subsequently immigrated to the United States, where he became a citizen and began his acting career on Broadway.

Gaynes' most recognized roles in cinema were, arguably, that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and the comedy film Tootsie. To television fans, he is perhaps best remembered 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, in which Gaynes' real-life wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, co-starred as his love interest; and as Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) on the soap opera General Hospital.

Early life

Gaynes was born on May 3, 1917, in Helsinki,[2] in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland and 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.[3] His uncle was the actor Gregory Gaye.[3] He was raised in France, England, and Switzerland.[4] Gaynes graduated from the Collège Classique Cantonal near Lausanne in 1937.[5] He also attended the Music School of Milan from 1938 to 1939,[5] and many years later trained at the Actors Studio in New York City from 1953 to 1958.[5]

World War II

In 1940, Gaynes lived in France but after the Battle of France and the German occupation he escaped to Pyrenees but was soon arrested by the Francoist Spain police. In 1942 after his release Gaynes intended to return to the Netherlands to join the Dutch resistance against the Nazi occupation, but instead made his way to the United Kingdom to enlist in the Royal Netherlands Navy. On April 8, 1943, Gaynes was commissioned as a seaman recruit and assigned to the auxiliary ship HNLMS Oranje Nassau which was stationed in Holyhead in Wales. Because of his multilingualism, he spoke Dutch, English, French, Italian and Russian was detached on May 1, 1943 to the Royal Navy as a translator assigned to the convoy commodore HMS Hilary which participated during July and August 1943 in Operation Husky the Allied invasion of Sicily. On September 1, 1943, Gaynes was reassigned to the destroyer HMS Wilton which participated during January 1944 in the Battle of Anzio. On January 1, 1944, he was promoted to Sergeant (Petty officer, 1st class). After the Battle of Anzio, the HMS Wilton was assigned to the Adriatic Sea and continued to see action during the Adriatic Campaign. On July 14, 1946, Gaynes was honorable discharged from the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Career

In 1946, Gaynes returned to France but an American theater director offered him a role in a Broadway musical and he moved to New York City later that year and became a American citizen in 1948.[2][6][7] During this time, his best-known appearances were in Wonderful Town and the musical version of My Sister Eileen.[7] Gaynes alternated between stage musicals and both comedic and dramatic plays, including his role as Bob Baker in the original production of Wonderful Town (1953), Jupiter in the Cole Porter musical Out of This World (credited as George Jongejans),[8] Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and as Henry Higgins in the 1964 U.S. tour of My Fair Lady.[9] In television, Gaynes played the role of Henry Warnimont, the eventual foster father for Punky Brewster in the eponymous series. He also provided the voice for Henry in the animated Ruby-Spears version of the show. Behind the camera, he directed the very last episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. Films in which he appeared include The Way We Were, Nickelodeon, and Tootsie.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

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),[18] and showed up in such movies as The Group (1966), Marooned (1969), and Doctor's Wives (1971).[19][20][21] He appeared in one episode of the sci-fi television series Sliders as the old-aged version of Quinn Mallory, played by Jerry O'Connell.[22] In 1984, he played Commandant Lassard, the titular leader, in the first of seven Police Academy movies.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29] In 1994, he played Serybryalzov in Louis Malle's acclaimed independent feature, Vanya on 42nd Street.[30][31]

Personal life

Gaynes was married to the stage and television actress and dancer Allyn Ann McLerie from December 20, 1953; they had two children, Matthew (Matt) and Iya.[3] After early teenage experimentation with marijuana, Matthew was sent to the Catalina Island School;[32] there he learned ocean kayaking, and his life changed completely. He grew to be one of the most respected kayakers of his generation; he was shortlisted for the Olympic team the year that President Jimmy Carter boycotted the Olympics after the Russians invaded Afghanistan. Matt died in a car crash in India in 1989. He was on his way to Nepal to film a kayaking special for ESPN. He was not the driver, and the car had no seatbelts. He left behind a widow whom he had married earlier that year.[2] Iya Gaynes Falcone, a lawyer, served as campaign director for a variety of California political candidates, and then ran for office herself in Santa Barbara. She served on the Santa Barbara City Council for two terms. During a subsequent run for mayor, her husband of many years died, and she took actions that effectively withdrew herself from the campaign. She has since remarried.

In addition to Gaynes joining the cast of his wife's series The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd in 1989, he and McLerie had previously worked together on Punky Brewster, when she guest starred in a first-season episode as a love interest of Henry Warnimont's. In an interview from 2011, he stated that he had an "easy", "open", and "cordial" relationship with his Punky Brewster co-star Soleil Moon Frye, but added that they never had any relationship outside of their work. He also added that the series' dog, "Brandon the Wonder Dog", was named after the NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff.[33]

Death

Gaynes died at his home in North Bend, Washington on February 15, 2016. He was 98 years old.[34]

Filmography

Film

Year Film 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.,[35] 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.[19]
1969 Marooned Mission Director Eastmancolor film directed by John Sturges, based on the 1964 novel Marooned by Martin Caidin.[20]
1971 Doctor's Wives Paul McGill Drama film directed by George Schaefer.[21]
1973 The Boy Who Cried Werewolf Dr. Marderosian Horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran.[36]
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off Warren Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Douglas.[37]
The Way We Were El Morocco Captain Romantic-drama film directed by Sydney Pollack, and considered one of the greatest romance films ever made.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
1976 Harry and Walter Go to New York Prince Period comedy film, written by John Byrum & Robert Kaufman and directed by Mark Rydell.[38]
Nickelodeon Reginald Kingsley Comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich.[16]
1980 Altered States Dr. Wissenschaft
1982 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Dr. John Hay Forrest Comedy-mystery film directed by Carl Reiner.[40]
Tootsie John Van Horn Comedy film directed by Sydney Pollack.[17]
1983 To Be or Not to Be Ravitch War comedy film, directed by Alan Johnson and produced by Mel Brooks.[41]
I'm Going to Be Famous
1984 Police Academy Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson.[23]
Micki + Maude Dr. Eugene Glztszki Comedy film directed by Blake Edwards.[42]
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.[24]
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Jerry Paris, and the second of six sequels in the Police Academy series.[25]
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.[26]
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.[27]
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Cmdt. Eric Lassard Comedy film directed by Peter Bonerz, and the fifth of six sequels in the Police Academy series.[28]
1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow Cmdt. Eric Lassard
  • Comedy film directed by Alan Metter, and the final sequel in the Police Academy series.
  • Also known as Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow.[29]
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.[30][31]
The Fantastic Four Professor An independent superhero film; unreleased.[43]
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.[44]
1997 Wag the Dog Senator Cole
2003 Just Married Father Robert Romantic comedy film directed by Shawn Levy.,[46] (Last appearance)

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 Guest 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
McCloud Floyd Spencer Episode: "Fire!" (S. 6: Ep. 3).
1976 Captains and the Kings Orestes Bradley Made-for-TV-Movie[48][49][50]
City of Angels Eisley Episode: "Palm Springs Answer" (S. 1: Ep. 7).
Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Max Vincent Miniseries[51]
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.[52]
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
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).

References

  1. ↑ (Dutch) Oud-marineman en Amerikaans acteur George Gaynes overleden, Marineschepen, February 17, 2016
  2. 1 2 3 Variety Staff (February 16, 2016). "George Gaynes, 'Punky Brewster' and 'Police Academy' Star, Dies at 98". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "George Gaynes Biography (1917-)". Film Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Police Academy star George Gaynes dies at 98". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 "George Gaynes". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  6. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (February 17, 2016). "Actor George Gaynes Dies at Age 98". Time Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "George Gaynes". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Out of This World". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  9. ↑ Broadway World Satff (February 17, 2016). "'Wonderful Town', 'Tootsie' Actor George Gaynes Dies at 98". Broadway World. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Jacobs, Laura. "The 25 All-Time Greatest Movies About Love". Vanity Fair. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Orley, Emily (October 19, 2014). "23 Reasons "The Way We Were" Featured The Best Romance Of All Time". Buzz Feed. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Cath Clarke, Dave Calhoun and Tom Huddleston (January 7, 2016). "The 100 best romantic movies". Timeout. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  13. 1 2 "List of the Most Romantic Movies of all Time". Frank's Reel Reviews. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  14. 1 2 Best, Jason (February 15, 2011). "The 50 Best Romantic Movies". What's on TV. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Top 100 Best Romance Movies Of All Time". What's on TV. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "Nickelodeon". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Tootsie". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  18. ↑ Eades, Chris (February 18, 2016). "GENERAL HOSPITAL Alum George Gaynes Dies". ABC Soaps In Depth. United States. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  19. 1 2 "The Group". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  20. 1 2 "Marooned". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Doctor's Wives". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  22. ↑ McLennan, Cindy (February 17, 2016). "Punky Brewster: Actor George Gaynes Dies at 98". TV Series Finale. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Police Academy". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  24. 1 2 "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  25. 1 2 "Police Academy 3: Back in Training". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  27. 1 2 "Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  28. 1 2 "Police Academy 6: City Under Siege". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Police Academy: Mission to Moscow". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  30. 1 2 Vineberg, Steven. "Vanya on 42nd Street: An American Vanya". The Criterion Collection. The Voyager Company. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Vanya on 42nd Street". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Matt Gaynes: A Beginning". Nantucket '73. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  33. ↑ George Gaynes Interview. YouTube. Google. May 22, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  34. ↑ McFadden, Robert D. (February 16, 2016). "George Gaynes, a Versatile Character Actor, Dies at 98". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  35. ↑ Axmaster, Sean. "PT 109". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  36. ↑ "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Slaughter's Big Rip-Off". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Harry and Walter Go to New York". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Altered States". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  41. ↑ "To Be or Not to Be". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Micki + Maude". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  43. ↑ "The Fantastic Four". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  44. ↑ "The Crucible". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  45. ↑ Turan, Kenneth (December 24, 1997). "'Wag the Dog' Is a Comedy With Some Real Bite to It". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 20, 2016. A gloriously cyncial black comedy that functions as a wicked smart satire on the interlocking world of politics and show business...
  46. ↑ "Just Married". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Trilogy of Terror". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  48. ↑ Burt, Daniel S. (2004). The Chronology of American Literature: America's Literary Achievements from the Colonial Era to Modern Times. p. 579. ISBN 978-0618168217.
  49. ↑ "CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS (1976)". Fan TV. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  50. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (February 21, 2012). "Cinematographer Ric Waite Dies at 78". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  51. ↑ Tim Brooks; Earle Marsh (1988). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. New York City: Ballantine Books. p. 662. ISBN 0-345-35610-1.
  52. ↑ "Evita Peron". TCM database. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
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