It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the beloved Canadian actor George R. Robertson, who passed away at the age of 89 on January 29. With over 80 film and television credits to his name, Robertson was best known for playing Chief Hurnst in the Police Academy films.
Robertson’s career in the film and television industry spanned over 60 years, beginning with an uncredited role in Rosemary’s Baby. He went on to appear in many television shows and films, including The F.B.I, The Twilight Zone, Paperback Hero, Norma Rae, Deceived, JFK, National Lampoon’s Senior Trip, Murder at 1600, and Crossfire, as well as many TV films such as The Mad Trapper, F.D.R.: The Last Year, The High Price of Passion, Hitler’s Daughter, The Good Fight, Dancing in the Dark, Hiroshima, Devil’s Food, We Were the Mulvaneys, The Pentagon Papers, The Reagans, and more. His final role was in the TV movie Cradle to Grave which was released in 2017.
Robertson was also honored to win the 1993 Margaret Collier Award, awarded by the CBC, as best Canadian Writer for his outstanding body of work on film or tv and the 19th Annual Gemini Award – Humanitarian of the Year in 2004. However, it’s Robertson’s role as Chief Hurnst that most fans will remember him from. He appeared in the first Police Academy in 1984 and went on to reprise his role for the next five movies.
Robertson earned his master’s degree in business in 1959 at New York’s Columbia University before beginning an acting career on the stage. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Adele; daughter, Sarah Robertson (Steve Pulver); Ellen Robertson (Mitch Aidelman), grandchildren Julia and William; step-grandchildren, Ariel, Gabe, Maddie and Josh, as well as many dear nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sweatt.
We are saddened to bid farewell to George R. Robertson, an incredible actor and humanitarian, who left behind an impressive legacy. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Source: comicbook.com