George Gaynes
{{Short description|American actor (1917–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = George Gaynes
| image = George Gaynes 1964.jpg
| caption = George Gaynes in 1964
| birth_name = George Jongejans
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1917|5|16|mf=y}} [O.S. May 3]
| birth_place = Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|2|15|1917|5|3|mf=y}}
| death_place = North Bend, Washington, U.S.
| nationality = Dutch (1917–1948)
American (1948–2016)
| occupation = Actor, singer
| years_active = 1940–2003
| known_for = Tootsie
Police Academy
Punky Brewster
| party = Democratic Party
| spouse = {{marriage|Allyn Ann McLerie|December 20, 1953}}
| children = 2
| parents = Gerrit Jongejans (father)
Iya Grigorievna de Gay (mother)
| relatives = Gregory Gaye (uncle)
| module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| allegiance = The Netherlands
| branch = Royal Netherlands Navy
| serviceyears = 1943–1946
| rank = File:Nl-marine-vloot-sergeant.svg Sergeant
| unit = HNLMS Oranje Nassau
{{HMS|Hilary|1940|6}}
{{HMS|Wilton|L128|6}}
| battles =
{{tree list}}
- World War II
- Battle of the Atlantic
- Mediterranean Theatre
- Italian Campaign
- Operation Husky
- Battle of Anzio
- Adriatic Campaign
{{tree list/end}}}}
}}
George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917 – February 15, 2016) was a Dutch-American singer, actor, and voice artist. Born to Dutch and Russian-Finnish parents in the Grand Duchy of Finland of the Russian Empire, he served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II, and subsequently emigrated to the United States, where he became a citizen and began his acting career on Broadway.
Gaynes' most recognized roles in cinema were that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and as John Van Horn in the 1982 comedy film Tootsie. He appeared 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; as Senator Strobe Smithers in the hit TV show Hearts Afire; and as Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) and Laura Spencer (Genie Francis) on the soap opera General Hospital.
Early life
Gaynes was born on May 16, 1917, in Helsinki,{{cite journal|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/george-gaynes-dead-1201707777/|access-date=February 24, 2016|date=February 16, 2016|author=Variety Staff|journal=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|title=George Gaynes, 'Punky Brewster' and 'Police Academy' Star, Dies at 98}} in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland, 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 of Finnish descent, and Gerrit Jongejans, a Dutch businessman. His uncle was the actor Gregory Gaye.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/45/George-Gaynes.html|title=George Gaynes Biography|work=Film Reference|access-date=February 17, 2016}} He was raised in France, England, and Switzerland.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35594271|title=Police Academy star George Gaynes dies at 98|work=BBC News|date=February 17, 2016|access-date=February 17, 2016|publisher=BBC}}
Gaynes graduated from the Collège Classique Cantonal near Lausanne in 1937.{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/69486%7C58642/George-Gaynes|title=George Gaynes|work=TCM database|publisher=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=February 20, 2016}} He also attended the Music School of Milan from 1938 to 1939, and many many years later trained at the Actors Studio in New York City from 1953 to 1958.
World War II
In 1940, Gaynes lived in France, but after the Battle of France and the German occupation, he escaped to the 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 Dutch Navy. On April 8, 1943, Gaynes was commissioned as a seaman recruit and assigned to the auxiliary ship HNLMS Oranje Nassau, which was stationed at Holyhead in Wales. Because of his multilingualism (he spoke Dutch, English, French, Italian, and Russian), he was detached on May 1, 1943, to the Royal Navy as a translator assigned to the convoy commodore aboard {{HMS|Hilary|1940|6}}, 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|L128|6}}, 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, HMS Wilton was assigned to the Adriatic Sea and continued to see action during the Adriatic Campaign. On July 14, 1946, Gaynes was honorably discharged from the Royal Dutch 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 an American citizen in 1948.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4227109/george-gaynes-dies-98/|access-date=February 24, 2016|date=February 17, 2016|first=Nolan|last=Feeney|magazine=Time|title=Actor George Gaynes Dies at Age 98}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/26241/George-Gaynes/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163235/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/26241/George-Gaynes/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|last=Erickson|first=Hal|authorlink=Hal Erickson (author)|date=2016|title=George Gaynes}} During this time, his best-known appearances were in Wonderful Town, the musical version of My Sister Eileen. 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),{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/1898|access-date=February 24, 2016|title=Out of This World|work=Internet Broadway Database|publisher=The Broadway League}} Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and as Henry Higgins in the 1964 U.S. tour of My Fair Lady.{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Wonderful-Town-Tootsie-Actor-George-Gaynes-Dies-at-98-20160217#|access-date=February 24, 2016|date=February 17, 2016|work=Broadway World|title='Wonderful Town', 'Tootsie' Actor George Gaynes Dies at 98|author=Broadway World Satff}}
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),{{cite news|last1=Eades|first1=Chris|title=GENERAL HOSPITAL Alum George Gaynes Dies|url=http://abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-george-gaynes-dead-91188|access-date=February 20, 2016|work=ABC Soaps In Depth|agency=Bauer Media Group|date=February 18, 2016|location=United States}} and showed up in such movies as The Group (1966), Marooned (1969), and Doctor's Wives (1971). He also appeared in the films The Way We Were (1973), Nickelodeon (1976), and Tootsie (1982). In 1984, he played Commandant Lassard, the titular leader, in the first of seven Police Academy movies. In 1994, he played Serybryalzov in Louis Malle's acclaimed independent feature, Vanya on 42nd Street. Later film appearances include The Crucible (1996), Wag the Dog (1997) and Just Married (2003).
On television, Gaynes played the role of Henry Warnimont, the eventual foster father for Punky Brewster in the eponymous series from 1984-1988. He also provided the voice for Henry in the animated version of the show. He appeared 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 Senator Strobe Smithers in the hit TV show Hearts Afire. He also appeared in one episode of the sci-fi television series Sliders as the old-aged version of Quinn Mallory, played by Jerry O'Connell.{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/punky-brewster-actor-george-gaynes-dies-at-98/|access-date=February 20, 2016|work=TV Series Finale|first=Cindy|last=McLennan|date=February 17, 2016|title=Punky Brewster: Actor George Gaynes Dies at 98}} Behind the camera, he directed the last episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in 1982.
Personal life and death
Gaynes was married to stage and television actress and dancer Allyn Ann McLerie from December 20, 1953, until his death; they had two children, Matthew Gaynes and Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown. Matthew was shortlisted for the US Olympic kayak team the year that President Jimmy Carter boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Matthew died in a car crash in India in 1989 on his way to Nepal to film a kayaking special for ESPN.{{cite web|url=https://msbhall.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/matt-gaynes-a-beginning|title=Matt Gaynes: A Beginning|work=Nantucket '73|date=February 28, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2016}}
In addition to Gaynes joining the cast of his wife's series The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd in 1989, McLerie and he had previously worked together on Punky Brewster, when she guest-starred in a first-season episode.
Gaynes died at his daughter's home in North Bend,{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-gaynes-dead-police-academy-866572|title=George Gaynes, Star of 'Police Academy' and 'Punky Brewster,' Dies at 98|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2020}} Washington, on February 15, 2016, at the age of 98.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/arts/television/george-gaynes-a-versatile-character-actor-dies-at-98.html|title=George Gaynes, a Versatile Character Actor, Dies at 98|date=February 16, 2016|first=Robert D.|last=McFadden|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 17, 2016}}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="4" | 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, the Bank Manager | Season 1 Episode 11: "Ride the Nightmare" |
| rowspan="3" | 1963
| Empire | {{TableTBA|N/A}} | 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
| Gaylord | Episode: "The Perfect Hostess" (S. 2: Ep. 18). |
| rowspan="3" | 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
| Thurman Elliott | Episode: "Kiss the Queen Goodbye" (S. 2: Ep. 25). |
| rowspan="2" | 1971
| 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. |
| rowspan="2" | 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). |
| rowspan="3" | 1974
| 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). |
| rowspan="2" | 1975
| Dr. Chester Ramsey | {{Plain list |
}} |
| McCloud
| Floyd Spencer | Episode: "Fire!" (S. 6: Ep. 3). |
| rowspan="6" | 1976
| Orestes Bradley | Made-for-TV-Movie{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VQ0fgo5v6e0C&q=Captains+and+the+Kings+was+one+of+the+top+10+best-sellers+of+1972&pg=PA579|page=579|first=Daniel S.|last=Burt|year=2004|isbn=978-0618168217|title=The Chronology of American Literature: America's Literary Achievements from the Colonial Era to Modern Times|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt }}{{cite web|url=https://www.fan.tv/shows/21637-captains-and-the-kings|access-date=February 18, 2016|work=Fan TV|title=CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS (1976)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103220312/https://www.fan.tv/shows/21637-captains-and-the-kings|archive-date=November 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina|title=Cinematographer Ric Waite Dies at 78|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinematographer-ric-waite-dies-78-293350|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=February 29, 2012}} |
| City of Angels
| Eisley | Episode: "Palm Springs Answer" (S. 1: Ep. 7). |
| Rich Man, Poor Man Book II
| Max Vincent | Miniseries{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/completedirector00broo/page/662|first1=Tim|last1=Brooks|authorlink=Tim Brooks (television historian)|first2=Earle|last2=Marsh|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York City|year=1988|page=[https://archive.org/details/completedirector00broo/page/662 662]|isbn=0-345-35610-1|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present|url-access=registration}} |
| Black Sheep Squadron
| Gen. Chennault | Episodes: {{Plain list |
}} |
| The Quest
| Gotham | Episode: "Day Of Outrage" (S. 1: Ep. 4). |
| Delvecchio
| Commissioner Schaub | Episode: "Hot Spell" (S. 1: Ep. 8). |
| rowspan="2" | 1977
| Washington: Behind Closed Doors | Brewster Perry | Miniseries |
| Carter Country
| Murdock | Episode: "Out of the Closet" (S. 1: Ep. 3). |
| rowspan="3" | 1979
| 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
| Contract role |
| 1980
| Scruples | John Prince | TV Miniseries |
| 1981
| Evita Peron | Evita's Doctor | Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Marvin J. Chomsky.{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/460130/evita-peron|title=Evita Peron|work=TCM database|publisher=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=February 20, 2016}} |
| 1982
| Powell Dixon | Episode: "The Unquiet Grave" (S. 7: Ep. 21). |
| 1983
| Cheers | Malcolm Kramer | Episode: "Where There's A Will" (S. 2: Ep. 12). |
| rowspan="2" | 1984
| 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) |
| 1984–88
| Henry Warnimont | Contract role |
| 1985–86
| Henry Warnimont (Voice) | 26 episodes |
| 1986
| Hotel | Gerald Milburn | Episode: "Scapegoats" (S. 3: Ep. 12) |
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| Punky Brewster | Lars Warnimont | Episode: "It's a Dog's Life" (S. 3: Ep. 10). |
| Matlock
| Judge Hollis D. Dunaway | Episodes: {{Plain list |
}} |
| 1989
| 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
| Elder in Chief | Episode: "Nuts to War, part 2" (S. 2: Ep. 20). |
| 1992–93
| Senator Strobe Smithers | Contract role |
| 1996
| Brook Austin | Recurring role |
| 1998
| 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
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|Biography|Finland|United States|Film|Television|Theatre}}
- {{IMDb name|0310960}}
- {{tcmdb name|id=69486|name=George Gaynes}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|24465}}
- [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=wiarchives;cc=wiarchives;type=simple;rgn=Entire%20Finding%20Aid;q1=George%20Gaynes;view=reslist;subview=detail;sort=freq;didno=uw-whs-tape00339a George Gaynes] at the University of Wisconsin's [https://web.archive.org/web/20140502211533/http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=wiarchives%3Bview%3Dreslist%3Bsubview%3Dstandard%3Bdidno%3Duw-whs-tape00339a Actors Studio audio collection]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaynes, George}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male musical theatre actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male soap opera actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American male singers
Category:American male comedians
Category:American people of Finnish descent
Category:American people of Russian descent
Category:Male actors from Helsinki
Category:Royal Netherlands Navy personnel
Category:Royal Netherlands Navy personnel of World War II
Category:Dutch emigrants to the United States
Category:Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States
Category:Singers from Helsinki
Category:Washington (state) Democrats
Category:People from North Bend, Washington
Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States
Category:20th-century American comedians