Paul Maslansky

Paul Maslansky
Maslansky in 1999
Born
Paul Marc Maslansky

(1933-11-23)November 23, 1933
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 2, 2024(2024-12-02) (aged 91)
Los Robles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Producer, writer
Years active1964–2024

Paul Marc Maslansky (November 23, 1933 – December 2, 2024) was an American film producer and writer best known for the Police Academy franchise.

Early life

Maslansky was born in Harlem, New York, on November 23, 1933. He played jazz for a living while briefly attending law school in New York. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1954.[1]

Career

Maslansky had 41 film credits as producer or executive producer. His first production credit was for 1964's Castle of the Living Dead, which starred Christopher Lee. Initially, Maslansky used his middle initial in his credits, though this was later dropped. Maslansky worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as producer, notable credits include Race with the Devil, Damnation Alley, The Villain, and Love Child.

Maslansky was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the 1978 series King.

Maslansky had a breakthrough hit with Police Academy in 1984. From a budget of $4.1 million, the film grossed $155 million and spawned a film franchise and television series Police Academy: The Series, which Maslansky wrote.[2]

He frequently made cameo appearances in the Police Academy movies.

Maslansky's notable credits following Police Academy include 1985's Return to Oz, 1990's The Russia House and Fluke in 1995.

The Lenfest Center for the Art's 'Maslansky Rehearsal Hall' in Lexington is named after him.[1]

Death

Maslansky died in Los Robles, California, on December 2, 2024, at the age of 91.[3][4]

Filmography

Maslansky was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Credit Notes
1964 Castle of the Living Dead
1966 The She Beast
1970 Eyewitness
1972 Death Line
1974 Sugar Hill
1974 Miracles Still Happen Associate producer Uncredited
1975 Race with the Devil Executive producer
Hard Times Executive producer
1976 The Blue Bird
1977 Damnation Alley
1978 Circle of Iron
1979 When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Co-producer
Hot Stuff Executive producer
The Villain Executive producer
Scavenger Hunt Co-producer
1980 Ruckus
1981 The Salamander
1982 Love Child
1984 Police Academy
Big Truck and Sister Clare Executive producer
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
Return to Oz
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training
1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
Honeymoon Academy Direct-to-video
1990 Ski Patrol Executive producer
The Russia House
1993 Cop and a Half
1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow
1995 Fluke
2017 Death of the Sheik Executive producer
TBA Coming Through Slaughter
Police Academy
The First Force Executive producer
As writer
Year Film Notes
1964 Castle of the Living Dead
1984 Police Academy Uncredited
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1975 Race with the Devil Road Worker in Cowboy Hat Uncredited
1978 Circle of Iron Student at Temple
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training Man #4 in Police Line-up
1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Retirement Home Warden
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Homeless Man at Museum
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Man at Precinct Payphone
2021 Silent Life Adolph Zukor
Production manager
Year Film Role
1963 Jason and the Argonauts Unit manager
1969 The Red Tent Executive in charge of production
As director
Year Film
1974 Sugar Hill
Second unit director or assistant director
Year Film Role Notes
1975 Race with the Devil Second unit director Uncredited
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role
1964 The Long Ships Assistant to producer

Television

Year Title Credit Notes
1974 The Gun and the Pulpit Television film
1978 King
1987 CBS Schoolbreak Special Executive producer
1988 Police Academy Executive producer
1997–98 Police Academy: The Series Executive producer
As writer
Year Title
1997–98 Police Academy: The Series
As an actor
Year Title Role Notes
1997–98 Police Academy: The Series Grumpy Man at Table
Grumpy Man in Convertible		 Uncredited

References

  1. ^ a b "Paul Maslansky '54". Washington and Lee University. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  2. ^ Paul Maslansky at Box Office Mojo
  3. ^ "Paul Maslansky Dies: 'Police Academy' Producer Was 91". Deadline. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "Paul Maslansky, 'Police Academy' and 'Return to Oz' Producer, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.