The Canadian-born actor who portrayed the police chief/commissioner in the six “Police Academy” films in the 1980s died Sunday.
George Robertson, 89, died surrounded by family at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, according to his online obituary.
A legacy of many accomplishments filled Robertson’s life, including a storied career in stage, films and TV that spanned six decades. He portrayed more than 80 characters between television and movies, but he is arguably best known for his role in the “Police Academy” movies.
Before beginning his acting career, Robertson was an award-winning athlete in hockey and football. His first athletic award was the Allan Hall Memorial Trophy awarded in 1952 by West Hill High School, according to his obituary. The award was “presented each year to the athlete who sets a high standard in clean sportsmanship and who, through precept and example inspires his teammates to greater achievement.”
He viewed his most important achievements came from helping others.
Robertson walked the entire length of southwest France, covering about 329 miles, to raise money for an orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
As “Police Academy” character Police Chief Hurst, Robertson travelled Canada speaking to high school youths as a UNICEF ambassador. He received the Danny Kaye UNICEF Canada award in 1990 for what the foundation considered his outstanding contribution.
In later years, Robertson devoted considerable time to painting and writing, the obituary noted.
The actor was born April 20, 1933, in Brampton, Ontario, to Mayme Kidd Robertson and Stewart Harold Robertson. He travelled to New York City and graduated in 1959 with an MBA from Columbia University where he met Adele Probst whom he married.
Robertson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Adele; daughters Sarah Robertson and Ellen Robertson, grandchildren Julia and William; step-grandchildren, Ariel, Gabe, Maddie and Josh as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sweatt.
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