George Gaynes
Biography
George Gaynes was a Finnish-born American actor of stage, screen, and television. He was born on May 16, 1917, in Helsinki, which was then the Grand Duchy of Finland and part of the Russian Empire, and was the son of Iya Grigorievna de Gay and a Dutch businessman named Gerrit. His original name was George Jongejans. During his career, he accumulated 81 known acting credits in movies and television shows. He passed away on February 15, 2016, at the age of 98 in North Bend, Washington, United States.
Career overview
George Gaynes was a Finnish-born American actor of stage, screen, and television. Born in Helsinki on May 16, 1917, in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland, part of the Russian Empire, his birth name was George Jongejans. He was the son of Iya Grigorievna de Gay, who was later known as Lady Abdy, and the son of Dutch businessman Gerrit. During his long career, Gaynes accumulated eighty-one known acting credits across film and television.
Among his extensive screen work, Gaynes became best known for his role as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy film series. On television, he was widely recognized for portraying Henry Warnimont on the television series Punky Brewster. His filmography also included appearances in productions such as Tootsie, East Side/West Side, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and The Defenders.
Gaynes passed away on February 15, 2016, at the age of ninety-eight, in North Bend, Washington, United States.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
83 titles- Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Just Married (2003) as Father Robert
- Police Academy: The Series (1997) as Commandant Eric Lassard
- Wag the Dog (1997) as Senator Nole
- The Crucible (1996) as Judge Samuel Sewall
- Sliders (1995) as Old Quinn Mallory
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Brook Austin
- The Fantastic Four (1994) as Professor
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994) as Commandant Lassard
- Vanya on 42nd Street (1994) as Serybryakov
- Stepmonster (1993) as Norman
- Hearts Afire (1992) as Senator Strobe Smithers
- Dinosaurs (1991) as Elder in Chief (voice)
- The New Lassie (1989)
- Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989) as Lassard
- Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988) as Lassard
- The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987) as Arthur Feldman
- Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) as Commandant Lassard
- A Taxi Driver in New York (1987) as l'ammiraglio
- Ternosecco (1987) as Don Salvatore
- Matlock (1986) as Judge Hollis D. Dunaway
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986) as Commandant Lassard
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) as Commandant Lassard
- It's Punky Brewster (1985)
- Punky Brewster (1984) as Henry Warnimont
- Police Academy (1984) as Commandant Lassard
- Blue Thunder (1984) as Dr. Willi Von Hartig
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1984) as Arch Angel
- Micki & Maude (1984) as Dr. Eugene Glztszki
- Mom's on Strike (1984) as The Commander
- To Be or Not to Be (1983) as Ravitch
- I'm Going to Be Famous (1983)
- Cheers (1982) as Malcolm Kramer
- Hotel (1982)
- Tootsie (1982) as John Van Horn
- Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) as Dr. Forrest
- Evita Peron (1981) as Evita's Doctor
- Altered States (1980) as Dr. Wissenschaft
- Scruples (1980) as John Prince
- Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (1979) as Wiley
- Just Friends (1979) as Rock La Rue
- Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (1979) as Wiley
- WKRP in Cincinnati (1978) as Henri
- WKRP in Cincinnati (1978) Director
- Carter Country (1977)
- The Girl in the Empty Grave (1977) as David Alden
- Quincy, M.E. (1976)
- Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) as Max Vincent
- Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976) as Claire Lee Chennault
- The Quest (1976)
- Delvecchio (1976) as Commissioner Schaub
- City of Angels (1976)
- Nickelodeon (1976) as Reginald Kingsley
- The Flying Misfits (1976) as Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault
- Woman of the Year (1976) as Harding
- Trilogy of Terror (1975) as Dr. Chester Ramsey
- Song of the Succubus (1975) as C.J. Meredith
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) as General Wiley
- The Way We Were (1973) as El Morocco Captain
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973) as Warren
- The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973) as Dr Marderosian
- Search (1972)
- Columbo (1971) as Everett
- Columbo (1971) as Frenchman
- Cannon (1971)
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Burton Rhoner
- Doctors' Wives (1971) as Paul McGill
- McCloud (1970)
- Marooned (1969) as Mission Director
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Thurman Elliott
- Mannix (1967) as Professor Brendan
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Dr. Paul van Bergner
- The Group (1966) as Brook Latham
- Hogan's Heroes (1965)
- Joy House (1964)
- The Patty Duke Show (1963)
- PT 109 (1963) as PT Flotilla Captain (uncredited)
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Mr. Campbell
- The Gallant Men (1962)
- Bonanza (1959) as Senator Purdy
- Hawaiian Eye (1959) as Roger Korvin
- Cheyenne (1955) as Rod Delaplane
- One Touch of Venus (1955) as Whitelaw Savory
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is George Gaynes best known for?
George Gaynes is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Just Married (2003), Arsène Lupin vs. Arsène Lupin (1962), Wag the Dog (1997), The Crucible (1996).
When and where was George Gaynes born?
George Gaynes was born on May 16, 1917 in Helsinki, Finland. They passed away on February 15, 2016.
How many credits does George Gaynes have?
George Gaynes has accumulated over 83 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2009.
What is George Gaynes's background in cinema and television?
George Gaynes was a Finnish-born American actor of stage, screen, and television. He was born on May 16, 1917, in Helsinki, which was then the Grand Duchy of Finland and part of the Russian Empire, and was the son of Iya Grigorievna de Gay and a Dutch businessman named Gerrit. His original name was George Jongejans. Du...
George Gaynes by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (1976) as Max Vincent — aged about 59
- Columbo (1971) as Everett — aged about 54
- Columbo (1971) as Frenchman — aged about 54
- Hearts Afire (1992) as Senator Strobe Smithers — aged about 75
- Dinosaurs (1991) as Elder in Chief (voice) — aged about 74
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Mr. Campbell — aged about 45
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