Peter Van Norden

Peter Van Norden
Van Norden in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, 1991
Born
Peter Edward Van Norden

(1950-12-16)December 16, 1950
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 2026(2026-07-09) (aged 75)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Alma materColgate University
Occupation
  • Actor
Years active1975–2025
SpouseWendy Edith Van Norden

Peter Edward Van Norden (December 16, 1950 – July 9, 2026) was an American actor.[1] He is best known for his roles in Hollywood films of the 1980s and 1990s, including Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985), The Accused (1988), and The Stand (1994), among others.

Background

Van Norden was born in New York City on December 16, 1950.[2][3] He graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University.[3]

He was married to Wendy Van Norden. The couple had a son named Robert.[4] Peter Van Norden died in Southern California on July 9, 2026, at the age of 75.[3]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Squeeze Play! Beauty Parlor Manager
1980 Headin' for Broadway Auditioner
1981 Waitress! Policeman
1984 Hard to Hold Casserole
Roadhouse 66 Moss
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Officer Vinnie Schtulman
1988 The Accused Paulsen
1991 The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear John Sununu
2003 Gigli Morgue Attendant

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Cheers Cymbals Player Episode: "Friends, Romans, and Accountants"
1982–1983 St. Elsewhere Patient / Bill Fulkerson 2 episodes
1982 T. J. Hooker Lenny Episode: "Thieves' Highway"
1983 Malibu Bumbo TV movie
Blood Feud Pierre Salinger
1985 Three's a Crowd Herbert Potts Episode: "A Friend in Deed"
Silver Spoons Larry Episode: "All the Principal's Men"
Family Ties Janitor Episode: "The Real Thing: Part 2"
1989–1996 Murder, She Wrote Henryk Stuyvesant / Dr. Sid Lantz / CIA Agt. Dennis Quinlan 3 episodes
1990 In the Heat of the Night Sgt. D'Agostino 2 episodes
1991 Matlock Nick Saddler Episode: "The Suspect"
1994 The Stand Ralph Brentner Miniseries; 4 episodes

Stage

Theatre credits
Year Title Role Venue Refs.
1975 Measure for Measure Escalus Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway [5]
A Country Scandal Count Partin, Semeonovich Glagolaev [6]
Antigone Durand [7]
1976 The Hound of the Baskervilles Dr. John Watson [8]
Tartuffe Orgon [9]
The Balcony Bishop [10]
1977 Romeo and Juliet Abram, Friar John, Watchman Circle in the Square, Broadway [11]
Saint Joan Bertrand de Poulengey [12]
1978 The Inspector General Stepán Illyích Ukhovyórtov, Merchant [13]
1981 Macbeth Scottish Doctor, Old Man, Murderer Vivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway [14]
1981 Little Johnny Jones Anthony Anstey US national tour [15]
1982 Alvin Theatre, Broadway [16]
1986 Hamlet First Gravedigger, Gentleman The Public Theater, Off-Broadway [17]
1990 The Last Pad Archie Friends and Artists Theatre, Los Angeles [18]
1994 The Cradle Will Rock Mr. Mister Off Ramp Theatre, Los Angeles [19]
1997 Nixon's Nixon Henry Kissinger San Jose Repertory Theatre [20]
Loot Truscott Blank Theatre Company, Hollywood [21]
1998 Mizlansky/Zilinsky Zilinsky San Jose Repertory Theatre [22]
Nixon's Nixon Henry Kissinger Seattle Repertory Theatre [23]
1999 The Magic Fire Giovanni, Juan Guarneri Berkeley Repertory Theatre [24]
Old Globe Theatre, San Diego [25]
Cymbeline Cymbeline [26]
2000 Love's Labour's Lost Holofernes [27]
2000 Enter the Guardsman The Playwright San Jose Repertory Theatre [28]
2001 Camping With Henry and Tom Warren G. Harding La Mirada Theatre, California [29]
2003 Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood Billy, John Barrymore Laguna Playhouse, California [30]
Misalliance John Tartleton Center Stage, Baltimore [31]
2005 The Wild Party Gold Hudson Theatre Mainstage, Los Angeles [32]
2006 Moonlight and Magnolias Ben Hecht Intiman Theatre, Seattle [33]
2007 Don Quixote Quixote San Diego Repertory Theatre [34]
Nixon's Nixon Henry Kissinger San Jose Repertory Theatre [20]
2008 Desperate Writers Leo Goldberg Edgemar Center for the Arts, California [35]
2009 Groundswell Smith San Jose Repertory Theatre [36]
2010 Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers Fritz Beebe, Henry Kissinger New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway [37]
Hairspray Edna Turnblad San Diego Repertory Theatre [38]
2011 The Cradle Will Rock Mr. Mister Stella Adler Theatre, Los Angeles [39]
2012 Macbeth Duncan Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles [40]
2013 The Sunshine Boys Willie Clark Arizona Theatre Company [41]
The Liar Géronte Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles [42]
2014 Flim Flam: Houdini And The Hereafter Arthur Conan Doyle Malibu Playhouse, California [43]
Othello Brabantio Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Los Angeles [44]
2015 Serrano: The Musical Don Reyes Matrix Theatre, Los Angeles [45]
Copenhagen Niels Bohr Rubicon Theatre, California [46]
A Christmas Carol Scrooge [47]
2016 King Charles III Charles III

(Van Norden was the first American actor to play the role)

 Arizona Theatre Company [48]
A Christmas Carol Scrooge Rubicon Theatre, California [47]
2017 Taking Sides Wilhelm Furtwängler Rubicon Theatre, California [49]
A Christmas Carol Scrooge [50]
2018 The Hothouse Roote Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles [51]
Henry IV Performer

Standby for Tom Hanks as Falstaff

 Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles [52]
1776 Benjamin Franklin La Mirada Theatre, California [53]
2019 Singin' in the Rain R.F. Simpson La Mirada Theatre, California [54]
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Freddie Filmore, Mr. Potter, Bill Bailey, others Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara [55]
2020 Red Ink performer Atwater Village Theatre, Los Angeles [56]
2023 The Tempest Gonzalo Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles [57]
Prospero Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles [58]
2024 Misalliance John Tartleton A Noise Within, California [59]
2025 Corktown '39 Joe Matrix Theatre, Los Angeles [60]

Notes

1.^ Adaptation combining Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2

References

  1. ↑ Moran, Rita (December 11, 2015). "Wonderful tale, a remarkable tale!". Ventura County Star. Ventura, California. p. 50. Retrieved February 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  2. ↑ John Willis' Theatre World: Volume 33. Crown Publishers. 1978. p. 255 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 3 Garner, Glenn (2026-07-10). "Peter Van Norden Dead: 'Police Academy 2' Actor Was 75". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  4. ↑ "About the Artist". Peter Van Norden's Website. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ Barnes, Clive (6 October 1975). "The Theater: CSC and Shakespeare". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Gussow, Mel (8 October 1975). "'Country Scandal' by CSC Company". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Antigone". Classic Stage Company. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Classic Stage Company. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Tartuffe". Classic Stage Company. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Barnes, Clive (14 December 1976). "Theater: Jean Genet's 'Balcony' Impressively Staged by the CSC". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Barnes, Clive (18 March 1977). "Theater: 'Romeo And Juliet' in Circle". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Eder, Richard (16 December 1977). "Stage: Lynn Redgrave in 'Saint Joan'". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "The Inspector General – Broadway Play – 1978 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Rich, Frank (24 January 1981). "STAGE: 'MACBETH' RETURNS". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Little Johnny Jones – Broadway Musical – Tour". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Rich, Frank (22 March 1982). "STAGE: COHAN REVIVAL, 'LITTLE JOHNNY JONES'". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Gussow, Mel (10 March 1986). "THEATER: KEVIN KLINE IN 'HAMLET' AT PUBLIC". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Loynd, Roy (17 October 1990). "STAGE REVIEW : 'Pad': Strong Execution of Inge Drama - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Brandes, Philip (23 September 1994). "'Cradle': A Musical With a Message - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  20. 1 2 Messina, Marianne (21 March 2007). "Tricky Dick". Metroactive. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Martinez, Julio (16 July 1997). "Loot". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  22. ↑ Ehren, Christine (11 September 1998). "Baitz's Miz/Zil To Start San Jose Rep 1998-99 Season, Sept. 11". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Jones, Kenneth (5 December 1998). "Last Chance: Nixon's Nixon Sold Out in Last Weekend at Seattle Rep". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (5 April 1999). "The Magic Fire". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  25. ↑ Manus, Willard (2 July 1999). "Last Chance: SD's Old Globe to Douse Magic Fire, July 3". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  26. ↑ Phillips, Michael (2 August 1999). "Playfulness Is the Thing in Wacky 'Cymbeline' - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  27. ↑ Ehren, Christine (28 October 2000). "Rees' Love's Labour's Lost Lost Again at CA's Old Globe Oct. 28". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  28. ↑ Ehren, Christine (7 January 2001). "Musical Guardsman Exits San Jose Rep, Jan. 7". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  29. ↑ Miller, Daryl H. (17 October 2001). "'Henry and Tom': A Lot of Talk - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  30. ↑ Hirschhorn, Joel (7 April 2003). "Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Marks, Peter (10 October 2003). "'Misalliance': A Perfect Crash Landing". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  32. ↑ Gans, Andrew (27 September 2005). "Eagan, Kellerman, Lanier and Pettiford Set for L.A. Wild Party". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Hughes, David-Edward. "From Hollywood to Bollywood with Moonlight and Magnolias at Intiman and Bombay Dreams at the 5th Avenue". Talkin' Broadway. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "'Don Quixote' looks at tale from a Muslim perspective". San Diego Union-Tribune. 17 January 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Montoro, Mary E. (7 December 2008). "Desperate Writers". Entertainment Today. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Stark, Clinton (17 October 2009). "Theater review: 'Groundswell' a frothing thriller set to full boil". Stark Insider. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Blank, Matthew (10 March 2010). "PHOTO CALL: Top Secret Opens at New York Theatre Workshop". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "THEATER REVIEW: Rep's 'Hairspray' is bubbly and energetic". San Diego Union-Tribune. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  39. ↑ Nichols, David C. (17 February 2011). "Theater review: 'The Cradle Will Rock' at Stella Adler Theatre - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  40. ↑ Meisel, Myron (19 July 2012). "Macbeth: Theater Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  41. ↑ Caputo, Salvatore (5 August 2013). "'Sunshine Boys' an evening's laugh in not-so-distant past". Jewish News. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  42. ↑ Brandes, Philip (14 October 2013). "Review: Antaeus' 'The Liar' full of desire, pursuits, untruths - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  43. ↑ Stanley, Steven (5 July 2014). "FLIM FLAM: HOUDINI AND THE HEREAFTER". Stage Scene LA. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  44. ↑ Peterson, Tyler (16 September 2014). "OTHELLO Runs 10/18-12/14 at Odyssey Theatre". Broadway World. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  45. ↑ Gray, Margaret (21 January 2015). "Theater review: 'Serrano the Musical' at Matrix Theatre - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  46. ↑ Brandes, Philip (14 September 2015). "Review: Piecing together a mysterious wartime meeting in Rubicon's 'Copenhagen' - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  47. 1 2 "'Christmas Carol' ends its Rubicon run Christmas Eve". Ventura County Star. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  48. ↑ Allen, Kathleen (7 September 2016). "Arizona Theatre Company opens season with 'King Charles III'". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  49. ↑ Brandes, Philip (3 November 2017). "Review: When facing evil, does silence become complicity? 'Taking Sides' makes the question newly relevant - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  50. ↑ Foley, F. Kathleen (15 December 2017). "The 99-Seat Beat: A theater in fire-scarred Ventura makes its holiday wish - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  51. ↑ Foley, F. Kathleen (2 February 2018). "Review: Can government overreach be funny? Antaeus looks for laughs in 'The Hothouse' - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  52. ↑ Debruge, Peter (10 June 2018). "L.A. Theater Review: Tom Hanks in 'Henry IV'". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  53. ↑ Gans, Andrew (18 December 2018). "James Barbour, Teri Bibb, Caleb Shaw, More Will Star in La Mirada's 1776". Playbill. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  54. ↑ Miller, Daryl H. (19 April 2019). "Review: 'Singin' in the Rain' gets splash-happy in La Mirada - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  55. ↑ Donelan, Charles (10 December 2019). "Review: 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play'". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  56. ↑ Miller, Daryl H. (2 February 2020). "'Red Ink' flows in Playwrights' Arena's look at journalism's woes - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  57. ↑ McNulty, Charles (10 July 2023). "Review: Antaeus' 'Tempest' production is all sound and fury - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  58. ↑ McNulty, Charles (10 July 2023). "Review: Antaeus' 'Tempest' production is all sound and fury - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  59. ↑ McNulty, Charles (23 May 2024). "Review: A brilliant chat fest, courtesy of George Bernard Shaw - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  60. ↑ Morgan, Terry (15 April 2025). ""Corktown '39" at Rogue". Arts Beat LA. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
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