Forty Years Since ‘Police Academy:’ Where Are These Misfit Cops Today?
The year was 1984. Apple released the first Mac, and you could see a movie for $2.50. Bruce Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A. and Steve Guttenberg was being sent to the Police Academy so that they could keep tabs on him, and a film franchise was born.
Rising to the No. 5 slot at the domestic box office in 1984, the R-rated comedy went on to gross over $81 million and featured an ensemble cast of actors that became known as their characters. In honor of the 40-year anniversary here is what some of the cast is up to today and those who have left us.
Steve Guttenberg as Carey Mahoney
Everett Collection; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Mahoney is sent to the Academy and doesn’t want to be there, but he has to be. Throughout his stay, he is competent and smart, but does everything to get kicked out.
Before Police Academy
He came to film fresh off a lead role in Barry Levinson’s Diner.
After Police Academy
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Guttenberg’s career after Police Academy became even bigger as he went on to appear in not only other future Academy sequels but also many beloved comedies during the decade, including Cocoon, Short Circuit and Three Men and A Baby. To answer the “Stonecutters Song,” you could say that in many ways, it was Police Academy that made him a star.
G.W. Bailey as Lt. Harris
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Rachel Luna/FilmMagic/Getty
Bailey was the lieutenant tasked with whipping these police recruits into shape, a task that would be next to impossible for the bravest man. Harris ends up the butt of most of Mahoney’s jokes and all of his antics but is a good sport throughout.
Before Police Academy
He had just finished wrapping an extensive role on St. Elsewhere as Dr. Hugh Beale and as Albert Addison on Goodnight, Beantown. But his resumé also included roles on M*A*S*H, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Starsky and Hutch, Soap and more household-name television shows.
After Police Academy
Eddy Chen/TNT/courtesy Everett Collection
Bailey came back for all the sequels in the series and had a smattering of other roles, including in the 1987 film Mannequin and countless other television series, such as The Closer and Major Crimes. He most recently appeared as Mr. Dugan in the television show Stargirl.
Kim Cattrall as Karen Thompson
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
She was the apple of Mahoney’s eye from the moment she appeared at the Academy. He tried to trick her around every corner to fall for him, but it was his wit and charm that just may have won her over.
Before Police Academy
Cattrall had nearly 10 years of television appearances including Quincy M.E., The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels and the 80s film Porky’s.
After Police Academy
HBO/ Courtesy: Everett
Films like Mannequin, Big Trouble in Little China and Unforgettable along with several television series were just the appetizer to her most memorable role to date as Samantha in the HBO hit series Sex and the City. Most recently, she has been seen as Future Sophie in the now-canceled series How I Met Your Father.
Bubba Smith as Moses Hightower
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection
In Police Academy, Smith was a quiet, gentle giant; but, before the film concludes, you see him take charge of things like he is in command and his voice can match the situation.
Before Police Academy
Smith had plenty of television and movie roles. From Good Times, Charlie’s Angels and B.J. and the Bear to Eight is Enough, Vega$ and Taxi, he made the transition to the screen look easy. This, of course, came after nine years in the NFL terrorizing quarterbacks.
After Police Academy
He returned to the sequels through part six and had many other television and movie appearances. He was even one of the stars of the classic Miller Lite commercials. Tastes Great or Less Filling? Unfortunately, Smith left us in 2011 at 66.
The rest of the cast included
Leslie Easterbrook as Callahan
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Horror fans will recall her being Mother Firefly in The Devil’s Rejects (2005), and, most recently, she was in the 2022 film Give Till it Hurts.
George Gaynes as Commandant Lassard
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection
Also starring as Henry in Punky Brewster in the ’80s, Gaynes was last onscreen in 2003’s Just Married, after a long film career. He passed away in 2016 at 98.
Michael Winslow as Larvell Jones
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Michael Winslow was in countless movies as himself and others. He still does comedy tours, so you can hear some of the amazing sound effects the series used throughout its run.
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