George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; 16 May 1917 – 15 February 2016) was an American singer, actor, voice artist, and comedy performer of stage, screen, and television. Born to Dutch and Russian parents in Finland, he grew up in France, England, and Switzerland; after serving in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II, he immigrated to the United States, where he became a citizen and began his acting career on Broadway.
Gaynes’ most recognized roles in cinema were, arguably, that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and the comedy film Tootsie. To television fans, he is perhaps best remembered 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, in which Gaynes’ real-life wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, co-starred as his love interest; and as Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) on the soap opera General Hospital.
Gaynes died at his home in North Bend, Washington on 15 February 2016. He was 98 years old.
Punky Brewster Vs Zack Morris