George Gaynes, who starred in the 1980s sitcom "Punky Brewster" and played the Commandant Lassard in the "Police Academy" comedy movie franchise, died Monday in North Bend, Washington. He was 98.
Gaynes, who had a memorable costarring role in the movie "Tootsie," died at his
daughter's home, The New York Times reported. He played Henry Warnimont, the building manager who found an abandoned girl, played by Soleil Moon Frye, in "Punky Brewster." The series started in 1984 and ran for four seasons, first on NBC, and then syndication.
Frye posted a tribute to Gaynes on Facebook Tuesday.
Gaynes was cast in all seven "Police Academy" films, following the wacky exploits of the
misfit police recruits, according to Variety. He created the role of dimwitted Commandant Lassard in 1984.
Born George Jongejans in Helsinki, Finland, to a Russian mother and Dutch father, he was raised in France, England, and Switzerland. After World War II, when he served in the Royal Dutch Navy, he moved to the United States and joined the New York City Opera.
He changed his name to Gaynes and appeared on the soap operas "General Hospital" and "Search for Tomorrow," Variety noted. His film credits included "The Way We Were," "Altered States," and "Wag the Dog."
Fellow celebrities paid tribute to Gaynes on social media.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.