George Jongejans Wiki Biography
George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917) is a Finnish-born American singer and actor of stage, screen and television and voice artistGaynes’ most recognized role in cinema was arguably that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series. To television fans, he is perhaps best known as the curmudgeonly 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.
| Full Name | George Gaynes |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Date Of Birth | May 16, 1917 |
| Died | February 15, 2016, North Bend, Washington, United States |
| Place Of Birth | Helsinki, Russian Empire [Now Finland] |
| Height | 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) |
| Profession | Actor, Soundtrack, Director |
| Spouse | Allyn Ann McLerie children – Iya, Matthew |
| Children | Iya Gaynes, Matthew Gaynes |
| Parents | Gerrit Jongejans, Iya Abdy |
| IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310960 |
| Movies | Police Academy, Tootsie, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, Police Academy 3: Back in Training, Just Married, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, Wag the Dog, The Way We Were, Va… |
| TV Shows | Hearts Afire, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Punky Brewster, Search for Tomorrow, It’s Punky Brewster, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II |
| Trademark | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Deep grumpy commanding voice |
| Fact | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Best known for his roles as Henry Warnimont on Punky Brewster (1984) and Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series. |
| 2 | George Gaynes passed away on February 15, 2016, three months away from what would have been his 99th birthday on May 16. |
| 3 | He and his wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, were founders of the State Street Ballet Company in Santa Barbara. |
| 4 | His son Matthew suffered from drug abuse for many years. He died in a car crash in India in 1989. He was traveling through Northern India to Nepal to film a kayaking special for ESPN. Left behind a widow whom he had married earlier that year. |
| 5 | After Punky Brewster (1984), Gaynes did not keep in touch with Soleil Moon Frye. |
| 6 | Due to his appearance, voice and work in comedy, he is sometimes confused with Lloyd Bridges and Leslie Nielsen. |
| 7 | Acting mentor and friends with Soleil Moon Frye and Cherie Johnson. |
| 8 | His daughter, Iya, was named after his mother. |
| 9 | Father of Iya and Matthew Gaynes. |
| 10 | In Europe, he served in the Dutch and British Navies during World War II. |
| 11 | Gaynes and wife Allyn Ann McLerie moved from Los Angeles, California to Santa Barbara, California, in 1989. |
| 12 | Met actress/dancer, Allyn Ann McLerie, in New York City, where they were both performing on Broadway in 1952. |
| 13 | Grandfather of Nicole Falcone Stryjak. |
| 14 | Before he was a film and television actor, he was a singer and established Broadway actor. |
| 15 | His father, Gerrit Jongejans, was a Dutch businessman. His mother, Iya Grigorievna De Gay (Lady Iya Abdy), was of mostly Russian ancestry, with smaller amounts of Polish and French roots. |
| 16 | His great-grandchild, Portia, was born in 2012. |
| 17 | His uncle, Gregory Gaye, died in 1993. He lived to be 92. |
| 18 | His second wife Allyn Ann McLerie was born in Canada. |
| 19 | Was a Democrat. |
| 20 | Friends with: Anna Lee, Susie Garrett, Blair Brown, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Conrad, Charles Durning, Kim Cattrall, Barry Sullivan, Peter Falk, Gene Hackman, Gordon Jump, John Ritter, Richard Mulligan, Tony Randall, Jack Klugman and his wife Allyn Ann McLerie. |
| 21 | After appearing in Just Married (2003), he retired from acting in 2003, at age 86. |
| 22 | Best known by the public for his starring roles as Henry Warnimont on Punky Brewster (1984) and as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy (1984) movies. |
| 23 | Spoke seven different languages. |
| 24 | Studied opera in Milan, Italy. |
| 25 | His wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, guest-starred as his love interest on his television series, Punky Brewster (1984). |
| 26 | Credited Jacques Tati as being a major influence on him as a comedic actor. |
| 27 | Appeared in all seven Police Academy movies. |
| 28 | Accomplished Broadway musical comedy performer, best remembered as Bob Baker in the original production of “Wonderful Town” (1953). |
| 29 | Son of Iya Abdy (also known as Lady Abdy Jongejans). |
| 30 | Nephew of actor Gregory Gaye. |
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid | 1982 | Dr. Forrest | |
| Quincy M.E. | 1979-1982 | TV Series | Powell Dixon / Banning |
| Evita Peron | 1981 | TV Movie | Evita’s Doctor |
| Altered States | 1980 | Dr. Wissenschaft | |
| General Hospital | 1980 | TV Series | Frank Smith / Mr. Smith |
| Scruples | 1980 | TV Mini-Series | John Prince |
| WKRP in Cincinnati | 1979 | TV Series | Henri |
| Breaking Up Is Hard to Do | 1979 | TV Movie | Wiley |
| Stockard Channing in Just Friends | 1979 | TV Series | Rock La Rue |
| Carter Country | 1977 | TV Series | Murdock |
| The Girl in the Empty Grave | 1977 | TV Movie | David Alden |
| Washington: Behind Closed Doors | 1977 | TV Mini-Series | Brewster Perry |
| Rich Man, Poor Man – Book II | 1976-1977 | TV Series | Max Vincent |
| Nickelodeon | 1976 | Reginald Kingsley | |
| Delvecchio | 1976 | TV Series | Commissioner Schaub |
| The Quest | 1976 | TV Series | Gotham |
| Captains and the Kings | 1976 | TV Mini-Series | Orestes Bradley |
| Black Sheep Squadron | 1976 | TV Series | Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault |
| Woman of the Year | 1976 | TV Movie | Harding |
| Harry and Walter Go to New York | 1976 | Prince | |
| City of Angels | 1976 | TV Series | |
| McCloud | 1975 | TV Series | Floyd Spencer |
| Song of the Succubus | 1975 | TV Movie | C.J. Meredith |
| Trilogy of Terror | 1975 | TV Movie | Dr. Chester Ramsey |
| McMillan & Wife | 1974 | TV Series | Burton Rhoner |
| Cannon | 1974 | TV Series | Edward Foxworth |
| The Six Million Dollar Man | 1974 | TV Series | General Wiley |
| The Way We Were | 1973 | El Morocco Captain | |
| Columbo | 1972-1973 | TV Series | Frenchman / Everett |
| Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off | 1973 | Warren | |
| The Boy Who Cried Werewolf | 1973 | Dr. Marderosian | |
| Search | 1972 | TV Series | Major Giles Mathews |
| Search for Tomorrow | 1971-1972 | TV Series | Sam Reynolds |
| Doctors’ Wives | 1971 | Paul McGill | |
| Hogan’s Heroes | 1971 | TV Series | General |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1970 | TV Series | Thurman Elliott |
| Marooned | 1969 | Mission Director | |
| Mission: Impossible | 1968 | TV Series | Dr. Paul van Bergner |
| Mannix | 1968 | TV Series | Professor Brendan |
| Bonanza | 1968 | TV Series | Senator Purdy |
| The Group | 1966 | Brook Latham | |
| New York Television Theatre | 1966 | TV Series segment: The Jewish Wife
– The Jewish Wife/The Informer 1966 … segment: The Jewish Wife
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| The Patty Duke Show | 1965 | TV Series | Gaylord Lane |
| Joy House | 1964 | ||
| East Side/West Side | 1963 | TV Series | Mr. Stowe |
| PT 109 | 1963 | PT Flotilla Captain (uncredited) | |
| The Gallant Men | 1963 | TV Series | Major Neumann |
| Empire | 1963 | TV Series | Johnson |
| The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | 1962 | TV Series | Mr. Campbell – Bank Manager |
| Cheyenne | 1962 | TV Series | Rod Delaplane |
| Hawaiian Eye | 1962 | TV Series | Roger Korvin |
| The Defenders | 1962 | TV Series | John Ames |
| West Point | 1956 | TV Series | Prince Victor |
| One Touch of Venus | 1955 | TV Movie | Whitelaw Savory |
| NBC Television Opera Theatre | 1955 | TV Series | |
| Just Married | 2003 | Father Robert | |
| Sliders | 1999 | TV Series | Old Quinn Mallory |
| Police Academy: The Series | 1998 | TV Series | Commandant Eric Lassard |
| Wag the Dog | 1997 | Senator Cole | |
| The Crucible | 1996 | Judge Samuel Sewall | |
| Chicago Hope | 1996 | TV Series | Brook Austin |
| The Fantastic Four | 1994 | Professor | |
| Vanya on 42nd Street | 1994 | Serybryakov | |
| Police Academy: Mission to Moscow | 1994 | Commandant Lassard | |
| Hearts Afire | 1992-1993 | TV Series | Senator Strobe Smithers |
| Stepmonster | 1993 | Video | Norman |
| Dinosaurs | 1992 | TV Series | Elder in Chief |
| The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd | 1989-1991 | TV Series | Arthur Feldman |
| The New Lassie | 1989 | TV Series | Mr. Ogilvy |
| Police Academy 6: City Under Siege | 1989 | Lassard | |
| Punky Brewster | 1984-1988 | TV Series | Henry Warnimont |
| Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach | 1988 | Lassard | |
| Un tassinaro a New York | 1987 | The Admiral | |
| Matlock | 1987 | TV Series | Judge Hollis D. Dunaway |
| Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | 1987 | Commandant Lassard | |
| The Numbers Game | 1987 | Don Salvatore | |
| Police Academy 3: Back in Training | 1986 | Comdt. Lassard | |
| Hotel | 1986 | TV Series | Gerald Milburn |
| Punky Brewster | 1985 | TV Series | Henry Warnimont |
| Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment | 1985 | Commandant Lassard | |
| Micki + Maude | 1984 | Dr. Eugene Glztszki | |
| It Came Upon the Midnight Clear | 1984 | TV Movie | Arch Angel |
| ABC Afterschool Specials | 1984 | TV Series | The Commander |
| Police Academy | 1984 | Commandant Lassard | |
| Blue Thunder | 1984 | TV Series | Dr. Willi Von Hartig |
| I’m Going to Be Famous | 1983 | ||
| Cheers | 1983 | TV Series | Malcolm Kramer |
| To Be or Not to Be | 1983 | Ravitch | |
| Tootsie | 1982 | John Van Horn |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Academy: Mission to Moscow | 1994 | performer: “Home on the Range” – uncredited | |
| Punky Brewster | 1985-1987 | TV Series performer – 2 episodes | |
| Cheers | 1983 | TV Series performer – 1 episode | |
| To Be or Not to Be | 1983 | performer: “A Little Peace” | |
| Tootsie | 1982 | performer: “I’ll Know” 1950 – uncredited |
Director
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| WKRP in Cincinnati | 1982 | TV Series 1 episode |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Academy: Mission to Moscow – Underneath the Mission | 2004 | Video documentary short special thanks | |
| Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment – Accidental Heroes: The Best of… | 2004 | Video documentary short special thanks | |
| Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol – Remembering a Lofty Investigation | 2004 | Video documentary short special thanks | |
| Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach – Mistaken Identity: Case Reopened | 2004 | Video documentary short special thanks | |
| Police Academy – Behind Academy Doors: Secret Files Revealed | 2004 | Video documentary short special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| E! True Hollywood Story | 2006 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Police Academy: Mission to Moscow – Underneath the Mission | 2004 | Video documentary short | Himself / Commandant Eric Lassard |
| Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment – Accidental Heroes: The Best of… | 2004 | Video documentary short | Himself / Commandant Lassard |
| Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol – Remembering a Lofty Investigation | 2004 | Video documentary short | Himself / Commandant Lassard |
| Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach – Mistaken Identity: Case Reopened | 2004 | Video documentary short | Himself / Commandant Eric Lassard |
| Police Academy – Behind Academy Doors: Secret Files Revealed | 2004 | Video documentary short | Himself / Commandant Eric Lassard |
| Quiet on the Set: Behind the Scenes of Molly Dodd | 1990 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| The 11th Annual Tony Awards | 1957 | TV Special | Himself – Performer |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boffo! Tinseltown’s Bombs and Blockbusters | 2006 | Documentary | John Van Horne (uncredited) |
| Police Academy 3: Back in Training – All Washed Up: Floating Memories | 2004 | Video documentary short | Comdt. Lassard (uncredited) |
| Police Academy 6: City Under Siege – Unholy Alliance: A Retrospective | 2004 | Video documentary short | Lassard (uncredited) |
| Sharon Stone – Una mujer de 100 caras | 1998 | TV Movie documentary | Himself (uncredited) |
2nd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | NYFCC Award | New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Tootsie (1982) |