LOS ANGELES – MAY 11: The television miniseries “The Stand”, directed by Mick Garris. Teleplay by Stephen King based on his book. Seen here, Peter Van Norden (as Ralph Brentner). Episode three, The Betrayal. Initial broadcast date, Wednesday, May 11, 1994. Image is a screen grab. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
Peter Van Norden, celebrated for his roles in the Police Academy franchise, The Naked Gun series, the Jodie Foster drama The Accused, and the Stephen King miniseries The Stand, passed away.
His wife, Wendy Van Norden, confirmed that he died peacefully in a hospice in Southern California early Thursday morning, aged 75.
His son, Robert Van Norden, shared a tribute on Instagram, stating that his father “passed away peacefully last night with his wife, Wendy, at his side,” describing him as “a terrific father, husband, friend, and a greatly respected member of the theater community,” and expressing deep sorrow.
LOS ANGELES – MAY 12: The television miniseries “The Stand”, directed by Mick Garris. Teleplay by Stephen King based on his book. Seen here, left to right, Adam Storke (as Larry Underwood); Ray Walston (as Glen Bateman); Peter Van Norden (as Ralph Brentner) and Gary Sinise (as Stu Redman). Episode four, The Stand. Initial broadcast date, Thursday, May 12, 1994. Image is a screen grab. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
He portrayed Officer Vinnie Schtulman alongside Steve Guttenberg in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985), the sequel to the 1984 comedy hit. Later, in the Leslie Nielsen spoof The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, Van Norden appeared as John Sununu, chief of staff to President George H. W. Bush.
Although best known for his comedic work, Van Norden also demonstrated his dramatic talent, notably playing attorney Paulsen in the 1988 film The Accused, a performance that contributed to Jodie Foster’s historic win for Best Actress at the Oscars.
In the original television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s bestseller The Stand, Van Norden portrayed Ralph Brentner, a member of a group led by Stu Redman (Gary Sinise), Larry Underwood (Adam Storke), and Glen Bateman (Ray Walston) who journey westward to confront Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan), an authoritarian figure who rises to power after a engineered influenza outbreak devastates the nation.
Born Peter Edward Van Norden on December 16, 1960, in New York City, he built a career as a seasoned stage and screen actor.
His screen debut came as a small part in director Lloyd Kaufman’s sports comedy Squeeze Play, produced by the low‑budget Troma Entertainment.
Throughout his career, Van Norden made guest appearances on series including Cheers, T.J. Hooker, St. Elsewhere, Benson, Matlock, Silver Spoons, Hardcastle & McCormick, L.A. Law, Wings, Tales from the Crypt, Murder, She Wrote, Nash Bridges, Family Matters, and 9‑1‑1.
