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Peter Van Norden, Actor in ‘Police Academy 2’ and ‘The Stand,’ Dies at 75
Peter Van Norden, a character actor whose career spanned five decades, passed away Thursday in California at age 75. He was widely recognised for his comedic role as Vinnie Schtulman in 'Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment' and for portraying farmer Ralph Brentner in Stephen King's 1994 television adaptation of 'The Stand.'
Van Norden began his career in theatre, performing in classic productions before transitioning to film in 1979. He built a substantial television presence throughout the 1980s and beyond, appearing regularly on shows including 'Cheers,' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'Family Ties,' and later 'ER' and '9-1-1.' He is survived by his wife Wendy and son Robert.
In short
- Character actor known for 'Police Academy 2' and Stephen King's 'The Stand' died in California at 75
- Maintained prolific career across film, television, and theatre from 1979 onward, with appearances on 'Cheers,' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'ER,' and numerous other series
Explained simply
Peter Van Norden was a character actor who worked consistently across film and television for over fifty years. He is best known for his comedic role as Vinnie Schtulman in the 1985 film Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment and for playing farmer Ralph Brentner in Stephen King's 1994 television adaptation of The Stand.
Van Norden began his career in theatre before moving to screen work in 1979. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, he built a substantial television presence with regular appearances on popular programmes including Cheers, Murder, She Wrote, Family Ties, ER and 9-1-1, making him a familiar face to audiences across several decades.