Canadian actor George R. Robertson’s film and television career spanned half a century. Among other things, he plays in six “Police Academy” films and fans of the series remember one scene in particular. Now the actor is dead.
George R. Robertson, the Canadian actor who portrayed Commissioner Henry Hurst in the first six Police Academy films, has died. This is reported by The Hollywood Reporter, citing the star’s family. He was 89 years old.
Robertson first appeared as Hurst in 1984’s ‘Police Academy’ directed by Hugh Wilson and stayed with the film series until ‘Police Academy 6’ (1989).
In the “Police Academy” films, his protagonist initially fought against an inclusive police force. One scene humorously portrays this: “When I went through this academy,” Hurst, the protagonist he portrays, tells his superior Lassard in his office, “every cadet was the right sex, the right size, the right color, and they all were ‘Johnsons’ Lassard, every single one of them.”
When Lassard doesn’t understand the word “Johnson” at first, Hurst nonchalantly points in the direction of his own loins. “In the good old days, there were snoots as far as the eye could see.” His superior replies, “And what a lovely sight that was.” As the films progressed, Hurst then shed some of his intolerance and misogyny and made steps toward becoming a wise, contemplative character.
According to the “Hollywood Reporter”, Robertson was characterized by positive qualities in his life – even before his acting career. The Canadian, born in Brampton, Ontario, in 1933 received an award for his sporting virtues back in high school.
Incidentally, during his long acting career, it wasn’t just the humorous genre that suited him. The actor also appeared in small roles in three films nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture: ‘Airport’ (1970), ‘Norma Rae’ (1979) and ‘JFK’ Crime Scene Dallas” (1991). George R. Robertson made his feature film debut in 1968 with “Rosemaries Baby”.
The acting star, who was also involved in charitable causes, later devoted himself to painting and writing, according to The Hollywood Reporter. According to the report, George R. Robertson is survived by his wife Adele, whom he met at university, as well as two daughters and grandchildren.
