Believe it or not, it has been 31 years since the first “Police Academy” movie was released. The original Police Academy was released in 1984, and the seventh-and the last of the series “Police Academy: Mission to Moscow” in 1994. Despite its criticism for low-brow comedy, for those who are over a certain age, Police Academy with its colorful cast of characters is still a legend. In 2008 and 2010 it was reported that an eighth film was still in production and in 2012 New Line Cinema were reportedly working on a script that would feature Steve Guttenberg. Hoping that this will not happen and the original Police Academy will live in our memories, let’s have a look at the cast and see what they are doing at the moment. Warning: This can make you feel really old!
13- Karen Thompson – Kim Cattrall
Karen Thompson was a bored socialite who joined the police force to broaden her horizons and meet people “who aren’t like you and me” (as she explains to her mother). She appeared only in the first movie. Kim Cattrall recently appeared in the six seasons of the Sex and the City series, and received five Emmy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations.
12- Carl Proctor – Lance Kinsey
Proctor was a gullible sidekick to Mauser in Police Academy 2 and 3 and Harris in 4, 5 and 6, and one of the most annoying characters of the movie. Kinsey has appeared in television, film, and theatre productions, but is probably best known to audiences as Proctor. Kinsey also writes and produces for television and film.
11- Carl Sweetchuck – Tim Kazurinsky
Sweetchuck first appeared in the second film, as a shop owner terrorized by Zed and his gang. A stereotypical nerd, Sweetchuck’s diminutive size and geeky appearance provided many gags, usually in relation to his physical weakness or as a foil for fellow recruit Zed. Kazurinsky played a supporting role in the 2011 Zombie Army Productions film, The Mole Man of Belmont Avenue. On February 4, 2014, he joined the 1st National Tour of the hit musical Wicked in the role of The Wizard, replacing John Davidson.
10- Debbie Callahan – Leslie Easterbrook
Debbie Callahan was best known for her pure sex appeal, specifically her large breasts, which provided the series with countless sight gags, and penchant for wearing tight fitting clothing. She was portrayed as a stoic, no-nonsense officer who is both physically and sexually aggressive. Leslie Easterbrook played in several movies after Police Academy. In 2014 she took on the character of a mentally twisted and beaten mother of twin daughters Mara Winters in a thriller called “Down Angel.”
For her unforgettable scene in Police Academy: video
9- Zed McGlunk – Bobcat Goldthwait
In the second film, Zed was portrayed as a hyperactive, antisocial gang leader with eccentric mannerisms, appearance, and taste. Many gags are based around Zed’s fondness for things that contrast with his wild-man image, such as Family Affair (actually crying at dramatic moments) and Mickey Mouse watches. Zed is almost like a child, admonishing his cronies to “act their age” while they trash a supermarket and thanking the cashier for the “great bargains” (as his gang trundle shopping carts full of food out of the store). In the third film, a reformed Zed joins the police force.
Bobcat Goldthwait directed many films such as Sleeping Dogs Lie, God Bless America and Willow Creek.
8- Eric Lassard – George Gaynes
Eric Lassard is Commandant, or head, of the Metropolitan Police Academy (sometimes also called the Midcity Police Academy). He is initially not into the politics of the police department. Lassard is also rather eccentric. He is rarely seen without his many goldfish, frequently travels by golfcart, and tends to destroy things while golfing in his office.
The actor is 98 years old now.
7- Laverne Hooks – Marion Ramsey
Hooks is a diminutive, soft-spoken and unassertive woman with a very high-pitched voice, who often has trouble putting people in line. However, she is known for becoming aggressive and authoritative when frustrated or otherwise pushed to her limit, punching people out or pulling her service weapon, screeching the memorable phrase: “Don’t move, dirtbag!”
Marison Ramsey has recently appeared in the films Recipe for Disaster and Return to Babylon.
6- Ernie Mauser – Art Metrano
Mauser (or Meiser[4] in the series; Bouser in the animated series) is a similar character to Harris, and his role in the movies is essentially the same. Playing a ruthless and demeaning, success-driven officer, Mauser is often the butt of many of the jokes played by Lassard’s men. His lackey is Proctor. He appears in Police Academy 2 and 3. In Police Academy 2, he tricks his way into becoming Captain of the Precinct.
Metrano seriously injured his spinal cord due to a fall at home in 1989 and temporarily became a quadriplegic. Currently, he tours with his one-man show, “Jews Don’t Belong On Ladders…An Accidental Comedy”, which has raised more than $75,000 for Project Support for Spinal Cord Injury, to help buy crutches, wheelchairs, and supplies for disabled people.
5- Thaddeus Harris – G.W. Bailey
“Mister Nasty” of the police academy, he always attempts to discredit Lassard and his men, but ends up being the butt of most of the jokes. Starting with Police Academy 4, he inherits Proctor from Mauser. He generally seems to be success-driven, at the cost of Lassard and his men. Started as Lieutenant in the first film but is promoted to Captain in other films to come. His catchphrase is: “Move it! Move it! Move it!”
In the late 1990s G.W. Bailey starred in three of TNT’s acclaimed “The Bible Series” films, Solomon (1997), Jesus (1999), and Saint Paul aka Paul The Apostle (2000). Since 2001, Bailey has served as the Executive Director of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which provides trips and activities for hundreds of young cancer patients annually.
4- Eugene Tackleberry – David Graf
Tackleberry is in all seven films and is best known for his love of firearms, the military and direct action. He had been a veteran of the US military and a security guard prior to joining the police academy. He joined the police force to see more action but has a poor grasp of the difference between the military and civilian life.
Graf guest starred in several episodes of ABC’s sitcom Step By Step in the 1990s. He also starred in the second episode of the third season of ABC’s Home Improvement as angler Chuck Norwood.
Graf unfortunately died of a heart attack in 2001, nine days before his 51st birthday, while taking part in an “All You Can Eat: Steaks & Beer” competition during a family wedding.
3- Moses Hightower – Bubba Smith
Featured in all but the seventh film, Hightower was a florist before joining the academy. He is best known for his immense stature and superhuman strength. However, he is the most humble and soft-spoken of all the characters.
During his acting career, he mainly specialized in comedic roles in films, television advertisements and programs. For about a decade following his retirement from football, he appeared in various commercials for Miller Lite.
Smith was found dead in his Los Angeles home by his caretaker in 2011. He died from acute drug intoxication and heart disease. He was 66 years old.
2- Larvell Jones – Michael Winslow
Jones was one of the key characters in the series and is famous for making sound effects with his voice. He is one of the characters often remembered from the films, as he uses his vocal ability to make noises to play pranks and deceive both criminals and authority figures. The character’s vocal ability was an added trait by his actor Michael Winslow, who can make sounds and noises with his voice and mouth in real life.
Michael Winslow continues to perform stand-up comedy around the globe.
For the amazing Jimi Hendrix performance by Michael Winslow: video
1- Carey Mahoney – Steve Guttenberg
Cadet/Officer Mahoney is the lead character of the first four movies and the cartoon of the series. He is a troublemaking, womanizing cad with a heart of gold. His worst habit is retaliating against insults in bizarrely effective ways. Despite his womanizing and his habit of breaking the rules, Mahoney is portrayed as being a good and courageous person willing to help those in need, regardless of the consequences.
Guttenberg’s film career has spanned nearly four decades. In that time, he has served as an actor, director, writer and producer. Apart from Police Academy, he played in several films such as 1984’s Police Academy and subsequent starring roles in major Hollywood films, including Diner, Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby, and Short Circuit.
source: wikipedia.org
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