George Gaynes was a Finnish-born American actor, singer, and voice artist who had a long and successful career in theater, television, and film. He was best known for his roles as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series, Henry Warnimont in the sitcom Punky Brewster, John Van Horn in the comedy film Tootsie, and Frank Smith in the soap opera General Hospital. He died on February 15, 2016, at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and love.
A Life Well Lived
George Gaynes was born on May 16, 1917, in Helsinki, Finland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. His parents were Gerrit Jongejans, a Dutch businessman, and Iya Grigorievna de Gay, a Russian artist of Finnish descent. His uncle was Gregory Gaye, a Hollywood actor. George was raised in France, England, and Switzerland, and spoke several languages fluently. He graduated from college in Switzerland in 1937 and attended a music school in Milan for a year.
During World War II, George served in the Royal Netherlands Navy and was assigned to the British Royal Navy as a translator. He participated in several battles and campaigns in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant.
After the war, George moved to New York City and began his acting career on Broadway. He performed in various musicals, dramas, and comedies, including My Fair Lady, Wonderful Town, Out of This World, and Anyone Can Whistle. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1948.
In the early 1960s, George transitioned to television and film. He appeared in many shows such as Mission: Impossible, The Six Million Dollar Man, Hawaii Five-O, Bonanza, The Defenders, and Columbo. He also had roles in movies such as The Way We Were, Nickelodeon, Altered States, and Wag the Dog.
However, his most memorable roles came in the 1980s. He played Commandant Eric Lassard in all seven Police Academy movies from 1984 to 1994. He portrayed Henry Warnimont, the grumpy but kind-hearted foster father of Punky Brewster (Soleil Moon Frye) in the NBC series Punky Brewster from 1984 to 1988. He also starred as John Van Horn, the soap opera actor who falls for Dustin Hoffman’s cross-dressing character in Tootsie (1982), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
George continued to work until 2003, when he retired after appearing in Just Married with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. He was married to actress Allyn Ann McLerie since 1953 and had two children: Matthew and Iya. His son Matthew died in a car accident in 1989.
A Peaceful Departure
George Gaynes died on February 15, 2016, at his home in North Bend, Washington. His daughter Iya confirmed his death to The New York Times. She did not specify the cause of death but said it was due to natural causes. George was 98 years old at the time of his passing.
George’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues who remembered him as a talented and versatile actor who could make people laugh and cry. His Punky Brewster co-star Soleil Moon Frye posted a tribute on Twitter, saying: “The universe just gained a gigantic star. You will be in my heart and soul always & forever. Your little Punky RIP George Gaynes”. His Tootsie co-star Jessica Lange said in a statement: “He was a wonderful actor and a very dear friend”.
George Gaynes left behind a rich legacy of entertainment that spanned over six decades. He entertained millions of people with his humor, charm, and talent. He will be remembered as one of the most beloved actors of his generation.
