Hollywood is mourning the loss of a familiar screen presence whose face appeared in some of the most memorable comedies of the 1980s and 1990s. He was 75 years old.
For decades, audiences knew him as the kind of performer who could turn a supporting role into a scene people remembered. His work stretched from television and film to the stage.
News of his passing came quietly, leaving fans to revisit the characters that made him instantly recognizable—even when his name was less familiar than his face.
The actor was Peter Van Norden, best known as Officer Vinnie Schtulman in “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment” and as John Sununu in “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear.”
Van Norden died Thursday morning at a Southern California hospice, his wife, Wendy, told TMZ. She said he passed peacefully while facing several health conditions, with her beside him.
Born in New York City, he began his Hollywood career in the late 1970s with a small role in “Squeeze Play.” More film and television appearances followed, making him a dependable character actor.
His credits included “Waitress!,” “Cheers,” “T.J. Hooker,” “The Stand,” and “Roadhouse 66,” alongside Willem Dafoe and Judge Reinhold. Yet his two famous comedy roles remained the ones many viewers remembered most.
His career extended far beyond the screen. Van Norden performed on Broadway and in regional theaters across the country, earning respect as a versatile actor who could move easily between comedy and drama.
His final credited role came last year in “Corktown ’39” at Los Angeles’ Matrix Theatre. He played Joe in the drama about the IRA’s involvement in World War II, and local critics praised his performance.
He was not always the biggest name on the poster, but his work gave films, television shows and stage productions extra personality. Even a brief appearance could become memorable in his hands.
He is survived by Wendy and their son, Robert. Fans are remembering a performer whose long career connected classic television, cult comedy and American theater—and whose familiar face became part of countless movie memories.
