Veteran actor Peter Van Norden died in a Southern California hospice facility Thursday at the age of 75.
His wife, Wendy, said she was by Norden’s side when he passed away peacefully after battling several health conditions, according to TMZ. Norden began his decades-long Hollywood career in the late 70s in the comedy “Squeeze Play,” and went on to appear in a number of recognizable roles in “Waitress!” “Cheers,” “T.J. Hooker,” and “Roadhouse 66.”
Norden’s most memorable comedic roles include Officer Vinnie Schtulman in “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment,” and “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” in which he played former White House Chief of Staff John Sununu.
His numerous television credits include “Three’s A Crowd,” “Silver Spoons,” “Matlock,” “L.A. Law,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and two episodes on the hit soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”
Van Norden’s film credits include The Accused; An Innocent Man; Love Hurts; Hunky Dory; and West Virginia, among others. (RELATED:
Peter Van Norden, ‘Police Academy 2’ Actor, Dies at 75 https://t.co/OVNZV5BT0b
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 11, 2026
In addition to his numerous comedic roles in the 80s and 90s, Norden performed on Broadway and in theatres across the country.
His last performance was in 2025 in a production of “Corktown ’39” in Los Angeles.
Peter Van Norden, star of Police Academy 2 and Naked Gun sequel, dead at 75 https://t.co/uXvXSFojp8
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 11, 2026
Norden is survived by Wendy and their son, Robert.