Punky Brewster Star Death

**Actor George Gaynes, famous for his roles as the foster dad in Punky Brewster and funny man in the Police Academy movies has died.**

In an interview with Variety, Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown, George’s daughter, confirmed his death in Washington. He was aged 98.

He is perhaps best known for his role in Punky Brewster.

George played building manager Henry Warnimont, who becomes a foster parent and eventually adoptive father to an abandoned girl (Soleil Moon Frye).

Soleil led the tributes to her former on-screen foster father, saying he would always be “in my heart and soul”.

“The universe just gained a gigantic star. You will be in my heart and soul always & forever. Your little Punky. RIP George Gaynes,” she tweeted.

George scored the Punky Brewster role after memorable performances in 1982’s Tootsie and in seven of the Police Academy” movies, in which he played the police commander.

Born George Jongejans in Helsinki, Finland, George was raised in France, England and Switzerland and later during the Second World war he enlisted in the Royal Dutch Navy.

After the war he travelled to New York, where he joined the New York City Opera.

Changing his surname to Gaynes, George married his co-star in the comedy The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Allyn Ann McLerie.

His last movie role was in the comedy Just Married alongside Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy.

Gaynes is survived by a daughter; one granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters. His son, Matthew, died in a 1989 car crash.

Image source: Getty Images

16 Comments

- - Jazbright said
  - 03 Apr 2016
    8:08 pm
Aww, so sad, such a big part of my childhood.

- - curlytops said
  - 07 Mar 2016
    10:15 am
A great actor and very funny.

- - welshmummy said
  - 29 Feb 2016
    8:55 am
A very funny comedic actor. Loved him in the Police Academy movies, could play dumb naive characters brilliantly.

- - mom94125 said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    9:19 pm
yes wow! what an amazing age to live to anyway! R.I.P. YOU WILL BE MISSED.

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 23 Feb 2016
    8:08 pm
98yo- wow what a great innings. rest in peace

- - rachelvk said
  - 19 Feb 2016
    10:18 am
I was a huge Punky fan as a kid so remember George fondly. My thoughts go out to his family and friend. As Punky would say Holy Macanoli. RIP George.

- - Lizbef said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    3:19 pm
Thank you for all your years. I remember watching him when I was a kid RIP

- - meedee said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    2:33 pm
98 years….thats a good long life.
Cant complain about that but its very sad for his loved ones.

- - mom90758 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    2:27 pm
This is so sad. But amazing that he lived to be 98. That’s quite remarkable!

- - mom165081 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    12:41 pm
Its always sad when people die. The article brings back some funny memories. Condolences to his family.

- - mom74640 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    11:22 am
Lke ir

- - mom103920 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    10:28 am
I loved the Police Academy movies. He was a talented actor. Thanks for entertaining us over the years George. RIP.
- june11 replied
  
  19 Feb 2016 , 6:20 pm
  I always made sure all my homework and chores were done early when those movies were on.
- - mom160421 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    9:46 am
What an interesting life he had. R.I.P. George

- - Sam said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    7:06 am
That was one of my favourite shows. They don’t make them like that anymore!!
Rip X

- - mum4107 said
  - 18 Feb 2016
    6:37 am
I read this sad news last night. RIP George