---
name: "George Gaynes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/george-gaynes"
fi1m_id: "george-gaynes"
imdb_id: "nm0310960"
tmdb_id: 57351
wikidata_id: "Q279225"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 May 1917"
died: "15 February 2016"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 59
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-04T19:59:50.402201+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# George Gaynes

## Identity

George Gaynes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/george-gaynes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** george-gaynes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0310960
- **TMDB ID:** 57351
- **Wikidata ID:** Q279225
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gaynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279225, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310960/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/57351

Actor. Born 16 May 1917 in Helsinki, Finland. Died 15 February 2016.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 May 1917, Helsinki, Finland
- **Died:** 15 February 2016
- **Active:** 1982–1997
- **Also known as:** جورج گینز
- **Frequently works with:** [Bubba Smith](https://film.one/person/bubba-smith.md), [Paul Maslansky](https://film.one/person/paul-maslansky.md), [Steve Guttenberg](https://film.one/person/steve-guttenberg.md), [David Graf](https://film.one/person/david-graf.md), [Jerry Paris](https://film.one/person/jerry-paris.md), [Michael Winslow](https://film.one/person/michael-winslow.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 53 (5), 1990s 72 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 62 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Crime 4, Drama 2, History 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $570m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gaynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279225, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310960/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/57351

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Tootsie*](https://film.one/film/tootsie.md) (85)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on George Gaynes

> George Gaynes made authority look agreeably uncertain, using a rich baritone and distracted dignity to keep broad comedy human. We value his warmth and timing, even when the writing gives him too little to do.

In *Police Academy* (1984), George Gaynes makes Commandant Lassard's foolishness a welcome pause in the surrounding commotion. We warmed to him because he seemed so untroubled by his own confusion. The rich baritone helps: it is a reassuring voice for a man who provides little reason to be reassured. Gaynes is good company here, though that is not quite the same as making a thin joke funny.

After years of supporting film and television work, *Tootsie* (1982) brought him wider recognition as John Van Horn, a lecherous soap-opera veteran. Sydney Pollack gives him a place in an alert supporting cast around Dustin Hoffman. The part puts Gaynes's imposing voice and distracted manner to less innocent use than Lassard's muddle. It also places him in a farce we recommend warmly, with some scepticism about its urge to teach lessons about women.

Hugh Wilson's *Police Academy* offers more warmth than its crude construction might suggest, and Gaynes supplies some of it. G. W. Bailey's severe Lieutenant Harris gives the recruits an authority figure to resist; Lassard is rather easier to like. Gaynes returned as Lassard across all seven films from 1984 to 1994. His willingness to look ridiculous helps explain the appeal, but our affection for him should not be mistaken for a recommendation of the whole series.

Television gave that warmth a more sustained use in *Punky Brewster* (1984–1988), with Gaynes playing Henry Warnimont opposite Soleil Moon Frye. The gruff but kind foster father allowed him to play the adult faced with children and disorder. His commitment to the situation, without winking at the material, matters more than the raised eyebrow.

He also played Serybryakov in Louis Malle's *Vanya on 42nd Street* (1994), a dramatic supporting part beyond the familiar comedy. There is no need to apologise for the silliness to make room for that work: taking foolish people seriously was a useful skill in itself. Start with *Tootsie*; approach *Police Academy* only if broad, uneven comedy is already to your taste.

## Biography

George Gaynes (1917–2016) was a Finnish-born Dutch-American actor and singer. He began his career in opera and on Broadway in the 1950s, appearing in productions including *The Consul*, *Out of This World* and *Wonderful Town*, before moving into television and film in the 1960s.

He is best known for his film role as John Van Horn in *Tootsie* (1982) and as Commandant Eric Lassard in the *Police Academy* series (1984–1994). On television he played Henry Warnimont in *Punky Brewster* (1984–1988) and appeared in series including *The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd* and *Hearts Afire*.

Gaynes was married to actress Allyn Ann McLerie from 1953 until his death.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nytimes.com, theguardian.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Wag the Dog* (1997), Fi1m 77, as Senator Nole — [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md)
- *The Crucible* (1996), Fi1m 68, as Judge Samuel Sewall — [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md)
- *Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol* (1987), Fi1m 36, as Commandant Lassard — [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-4-citizens-on-patrol.md)
- *Police Academy 3: Back in Training* (1986), Fi1m 42, as Commandant Lassard — [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-3-back-in-training.md)
- *Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment* (1985), Fi1m 42, as Commandant Lassard — [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-2-their-first-assignment.md)
- *Police Academy* (1984), Fi1m 62, as Commandant Lassard — [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy.md)
- *Tootsie* (1982), Fi1m 85, as John Van Horn — [page](https://film.one/film/tootsie.md)

## Complete filmography (80)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Just Married* (2003), as Father Robert
- *Wag the Dog* (1997), as Senator Nole — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md)
- *Police Academy: The Series* (1997), series, as Commandant Eric Lassard
- *The Crucible* (1996), as Judge Samuel Sewall — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md)
- *Sliders* (1995), series, as Old Quinn Mallory
- *Vanya on 42nd Street* (1994), as Serybryakov
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Brook Austin
- *Police Academy: Mission to Moscow* (1994), as Commandant Lassard
- *The Fantastic Four* (1994), as Professor
- *Stepmonster* (1993), as Norman
- *Hearts Afire* (1992), series, as Senator Strobe Smithers
- *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Elder in Chief (voice)
- *The New Lassie* (1989), series, Actor
- *Police Academy 6: City Under Siege* (1989), as Lassard
- *Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach* (1988), as Lassard
- *A Taxi Driver in New York* (1987), as l'ammiraglio
- *The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd* (1987), series, as Arthur Feldman
- *Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol* (1987), as Commandant Lassard — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-4-citizens-on-patrol.md)
- *Ternosecco* (1987), as Don Salvatore
- *Police Academy 3: Back in Training* (1986), as Commandant Lassard — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-3-back-in-training.md)
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Judge Hollis D. Dunaway
- *It's Punky Brewster* (1985), series, Actor
- *Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment* (1985), as Commandant Lassard — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy-2-their-first-assignment.md)
- *Micki & Maude* (1984), as Dr. Eugene Glztszki
- *It Came Upon the Midnight Clear* (1984), as Arch Angel
- *Mom's on Strike* (1984), as The Commander
- *Punky Brewster* (1984), series, as Henry Warnimont
- *Police Academy* (1984), as Commandant Lassard — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/police-academy.md)
- *Blue Thunder* (1984), series, as Dr. Willi Von Hartig
- *To Be or Not to Be* (1983), as Ravitch
- *I'm Going to Be Famous* (1983), Actor
- *Tootsie* (1982), as John Van Horn — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/tootsie.md)
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Malcolm Kramer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor
- *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), series, as John Prince
- *Breaking Up Is Hard to Do* (1979), series, as Wiley
- *Just Friends* (1979), series, as Rock La Rue
- *WKRP in Cincinnati* (1978), series, as Henri · Director
- *The Girl in the Empty Grave* (1977), as David Alden
- *Carter Country* (1977), series, Actor
- *Nickelodeon* (1976), as Reginald Kingsley
- *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, Actor
- *Baa Baa Black Sheep* (1976), series, as Claire Lee Chennault
- *Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II* (1976), series, as Max Vincent
- *The Flying Misfits* (1976), as Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault
- *Delvecchio* (1976), series, as Commissioner Schaub
- *Woman of the Year* (1976), as Harding
- *Harry and Walter Go to New York* (1976), as Prince
- *The Quest* (1976), series, Actor
- *City of Angels* (1976), series, Actor
- *Song of the Succubus* (1975), as C.J. Meredith
- *Trilogy of Terror* (1975), as Dr. Chester Ramsey
- *The Six Million Dollar Man* (1974), series, 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), series, Actor
- *McMillan & Wife* (1971), series, as Burton Rhoner
- *Columbo* (1971), series, as Everett, Frenchman — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)
- *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor
- *Doctors' Wives* (1971), as Paul McGill
- *McCloud* (1970), series, Actor
- *Marooned* (1969), as Mission Director
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Thurman Elliott
- *Mannix* (1967), series, as Professor Brendan
- *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Dr. Paul van Bergner — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md)
- *The Group* (1966), as Brook Latham
- *Hogan's Heroes* (1965), series, Actor
- *Joy House* (1964), Actor
- *The Patty Duke Show* (1963), series, Actor
- *PT 109* (1963), as PT Flotilla Captain (uncredited)
- *The Gallant Men* (1962), series, Actor
- *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Mr. Campbell
- *Hawaiian Eye* (1959), series, as Roger Korvin
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Senator Purdy
- *Cheyenne* (1955), series, as Rod Delaplane
- *One Touch of Venus* (1955), as Whitelaw Savory

## Gallery

- ![George Gaynes](https://film.one/media/person/117742/gallery-06e6a916af40.jpg) George Gaynes — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/George_Gaynes_1964.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![George Gaynes](https://film.one/media/person/117742/gallery-3fb9a5b40081.jpg) George Gaynes — Image via TMDB
- ![George Gaynes](https://film.one/media/person/117742/gallery-9e42b44d401a.jpg) George Gaynes — Image via TMDB
- ![George Gaynes](https://film.one/media/person/117742/gallery-0d5563561c6e.jpg) George Gaynes — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/george-gaynes