Paul Gleason (1939–2006) — American character actor

Early life and beginnings

Gleason was born Paul Xavier Gleason in Jersey City, New Jersey. He spent part of his childhood in Florida and began acting professionally after training on stage and appearing in small television parts. Over time he moved between theater, episodic television and feature films, developing a reputation as a reliable character actor capable of both menace and dry humor.

Notable roles and screen persona

Gleason is best known to general audiences for playing high-strung authority figures. Two of his most recognizable screen appearances are as Principal Richard Vernon in the teen drama The Breakfast Club and as the brash police commander Dwayne T. Robinson in the action film Die Hard. These parts illustrate the typecasting that nonetheless allowed him to create vivid, quoted characters who remain part of popular-culture memory.

Selected credits

• Feature films and supporting roles across multiple genres
• Numerous guest appearances on television series and episodic drama
• Stage productions and occasional voice work in later years

Personal life and death

Born in Jersey City, Gleason balanced a private personal life with a steady professional career. He was married twice and continued acting through the 1990s and into the 2000s. He died in 2006 from lung cancer at a hospital in Burbank, California; reports at the time noted the cause as lung cancer. Brief biographies and career summaries can be found on several film and television reference pages, including a general profile at Paul Gleason.

Legacy

Although he rarely played leads, Gleason left a lasting impression through strongly drawn supporting roles. Filmgoers and television audiences continue to recognize his face and mannerisms, and his portrayals of rigid authority figures are frequently cited when discussing memorable character actors of the late 20th century.