George Gaynes

George Gaynes
George Gaynes in 1964
Born	George Jongejans (1917-05-16)May 16, 1917 [O.S. May 3] Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Died	February 15, 2016(2016-02-15) (aged 98) North Bend, Washington, U.S.
Nationality	Russian (1917) Dutch (1917–1948) American (1948–2016)
Occupation(s)	Actor, singer
Years active	1940–2003
Known for	Tootsie Police Academy Punky Brewster
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Allyn Ann McLerie ​ (m. 1953)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Gerrit Jongejans (father) Iya Grigorievna de Gay (mother)
Relatives	Gregory Gaye (uncle)
Military career
Allegiance	The Netherlands
Service/branch	Royal Netherlands Navy
Years of service	1943–1946
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	HNLMS Oranje Nassau HMS Hilary HMS Wilton
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of the Atlantic Mediterranean Theatre Italian Campaign Operation Husky Battle of Anzio Adriatic Campaign

George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917 – February 15, 2016) was a Russian-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.