Word is making the rounds that Peter Van Norden, the actor who appeared in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, and other productions, has died. Van Norden died peacefully on Thursday morning at a Southern California hospice facility at the age of 75. His wife was beside him when he passed, due to several health conditions.
Van Norden came onto the scene in the 1970s with his first onscreen role in the “saucy, spicy, and rollicking” Lloyd Kaufman-directed comedy Squeeze Play. In the movie, an all-female softball team challenges an all-male softball team to see who is best. The Squeeze Play trailer says the movie is like Animal House meets Meatballs. You get the idea.
Van Norden got more work in the 1980s when he starred in film projects like Headin’ for Broadway! (1980), Hard to Hold (1984), Roadhouse 66 (1984), and The Accused (1988). He was also a beloved member of the Troma Entertainment collective, after starring in Kaufman’s 1981 comedy Waitress! In 1985, he landed the role of Officer Vinnie Schtulman in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment. Then, in 1991, he played George H.W. Bush’s chief of staff, John H. Sununu, in The Naked Gun 2½, making him a recognizable face in the screwball comedy genre.
Van Norden’s first TV appearance was for an episode of Broadway on Showtime, in which he played Anthony Anstey. Other television projects involving Van Norden include Cheers, T.J. Hooker, St. Elsewhere, The New Odd Couple, Three’s a Crowd, Hill Street Blues, Nash Bridges, Dark Skies, and many more.
From Troma Entertainment to crude comedies, television drama, and more, Peter Van Norden’s career covered a broad spectrum of entertainment. He’s the reason so many people shout, “Hey, it’s that guy,” when they see him. He’s a friendly face in Hollywood, making the most out of even minor roles.
We want to extend our condolences to Mr. Van Norden’s family, friends, and fans. May he rest well and know that we appreciated his gifts.