Resource id #75
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George Gaynes

George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917 – February 15, 2016) was a Finnish-born American singer, actor, and voice artist. Born to Dutch and Russian-Finnish parents in the Grand Duchy of Finland of the Russian Empire, he served in the Royal Netherlands Navy during World War II, and subsequently emigrated to the United States, where he became a citizen and began his acting career on Broadway.

Gaynes' most recognized roles in cinema were that of Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and as John Van Horn in the 1982 comedy film Tootsie. He appeared as Senator Strobe Smithers in the hit TV show Hearts Afire; as the curmudgeonly but lovable foster parent Henry Warnimont on the NBC series Punky Brewster; as high-powered theatrical producer Arthur Feldman on The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, in which Gaynes' real-life wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, co-starred as his love interest; and as Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) and Laura Spencer (Genie Francis) on the soap opera General Hospital.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 16, 1917 (Helsinki), Died February 15, 2016 (North Bend)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 84073 3/8/1953 What a waste Warren Galjour ; George Gaynes ; Albert Linville vocalist  
Decca 84076 3/8/1953 Conversation piece Edith Adams ; Cris Alexander ; Dort Clark ; George Gaynes ; Rosalind Russell vocalist  
Decca 84077 3/8/1953 A quiet girl George Gaynes vocalist  
Decca 84081 3/8/1953 It's love Edith Adams ; George Gaynes vocalist  
Decca 84105 3/8/1953 Conversation piece George Gaynes ; Rosalind Russell vocalist  
Decca 84106 3/8/1953 A quiet girl/Conga George Gaynes ; Rosalind Russell vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gaynes, George," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/317270.

Gaynes, George. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/317270.

"Gaynes, George." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/317270

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