Peter Van Norden, a veteran actor known for his work in film, television and theater, has died. He was 75.
Van Norden passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 9, at a hospice facility in Southern California. He had been dealing with several health conditions. His wife, Wendy, was by his side.
His son, Robert, confirmed the news in a post on Instagram. He described his father as a terrific father, husband and friend. He also called him a greatly respected member of the theater community.
Van Norden is survived by his wife, Wendy, and their son, Robert.
Early life and career start
Van Norden was born on December 16, 1950, in New York City. He graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University before moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s.
He made his onscreen debut in the 1979 comedy “Squeeze Play.” The film was directed by Lloyd Kaufman, founder of Troma Entertainment. Van Norden went on to appear in Kaufman’s 1981 comedy “Waitress!” as well.
Breakout film roles
Van Norden became widely recognized for his role as Officer Vinnie Schtulman in “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.” The 1985 film was the sequel to the hit 1984 comedy. In it, his character served as the first partner to Steve Guttenberg’s Carey Mahoney.
He also appeared in “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” in 1991. In that film, directed by David Zucker and starring Leslie Nielsen, Van Norden played former White House Chief of Staff John Sununu.
Beyond comedy, Van Norden showed range as a dramatic actor. He played an attorney named Paulsen in 1988’s “The Accused.” That film earned Jodie Foster her first Best Actress Oscar.
Television work
Van Norden’s television credits spanned decades. He appeared in shows including “Cheers,” “T.J. Hooker” and “Roadhouse 66.”
One of his most notable television roles came in Stephen King’s 1994 miniseries “The Stand.” He played Ralph Brentner alongside a cast that included Gary Sinise, Adam Storke and Ray Walston.
A life in the theater
Alongside his screen work, Van Norden built an extensive stage career. He performed in numerous Broadway, off-Broadway and regional productions. His Broadway credits include “St. Joan,” “Macbeth,” “Little Johnny Jones,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Inspector General.”
He was especially admired in Los Angeles theater circles. Critics described him as one of the city’s most assured Shakespearean actors. Los Angeles Times critic Charles McNulty once wrote that seeing Van Norden’s name in a theater program brought a sense of relief. McNulty said it meant the evening would include what he called a master class in acting.
Van Norden also took on the role of King Charles III at Arizona Theatre Company. Director Matt August recalled him as an example for everyone to follow, both onstage and off.
Recent work
Van Norden remained active in the theater community in recent years. He was part of The Rehearsal Room, an actors workshop that helps performers grow their craft through challenging material. Last August, he took part in a session breaking down Shakespeare’s “Richard III.”
His final acting credit came last year, when he played Joe in a production of “Corktown ’39” at the Matrix Theater in Los Angeles. The drama focused on the IRA’s involvement in World War Two. His performance was well received by local critics.