George R. Robertson dead – Police Academy star dies aged 89 after playing Chief Hurst in six movies | The Sun
POLICE Academy star George R. Robertson has died aged 89 after playing the iconic character of Chief Hurst in six movies.
His family have confirmed he died at a Toronto hospital last Sunday and a memorial is planned for later in March.
The Canadian actor would become a household name after securing his role as Chief Hurst in the Police Academy franchise that began in 1984.
Robertson left after six films, declining to stay for the last one, 1994's Police Academy: Mission To Moscow.
In 2006 Robertson played Dick Cheney in ABC's controversial two-parter The Path To 9/11.
He also took on the roles of Admiral Leahy in 1995's Hiroshima and Senator Fulbright in 2003's The Pentagon Papers.
Born in Brampton, Ontario in 1933, the star flitted through more minor roles in the 60s and 70s, before becoming a household name in the 80s with his starring role of Chief Hurst.
Robertson also briefly featured in three films that were later nominated for best picture at the Oscars – Airport (1970), Norma Rae (1979) and JFK (1991).
His enduring and successful career spanned 60 years, but his marriage to his wife, Adele, would last 61.
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Throughout this, the Canadian excelled in playing authority figure roles and he eventually received a Margaret Collier Award in 1993 for his outstanding contribution to acting.
Outside of his profession, he devoted time to children's charities, often dressing as the character of Chief Hurst, and took on a different kind of role as a UNICEF ambassador.
He once walked from southwest France to an orphanage in northern Thailand – a distance of 328 miles.
In 2004, he would be honoured with a Gemini Award as Humanitarian of the Year for the powerful impact he had on children around the world, and at home in Canada.
Robertson committed the later years of his life to his love of painting and writing.
His wife survives him, along with two daughters, two grandchildren and four step grandchildren.
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