Actor of the “Police Academy”, comic was 84 years old – deadline

Art Metrono, who played Officer Ernie Mauser in Two Police academy sequelae and was a familiar face on episodic television before a serious injury suffered in a domestic accident derailed his career in 1989, died of natural causes yesterday at his home in Aventura, Florida. He was 84 years old.

“Yesterday I lost my best friend, my mentor, my dad,” Metrano’s son Harry Metrano posted today on Instagram. “He was and always will be the toughest man I know. I have never met someone who has overcome more adversities than him … “

Metrono had previously made appearances in late ’60s television series such as Mannix, Mod Squad, The High Chaparral, then came Bronson, nearly half a dozen episodes of delighted and in the feature film Jane Fonda from 1969 They shoot horses, don’t they? when a stand-up comedy performance in 1970 on Tonight’s Show with Johnny Carson considerably strengthened its profile. To Carson’s delight, Metrano performed the routine that would become his signature, describing a hack magician whose tricks were too easily explained (the routine would later be referenced in a family guy episode, prompting legal action and settlement).

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Other television and film appearances followed, including in films. They only kill their masters (1972) and The broken hearted child (1972) and series Kolchak: the night stalker (1975), Starsky & Hutch (1976), and The Incredible Hulk (1978). From 1982-83 he played the recurring Joanie loves Chachi role of Uncle Rico de Chachi.

His performance as the ruthless and nagging Lt. Mauser in Police Academy 2: their first mission would be one of Metrono’s most memorable performances. He returned to the franchise in the 1986 role Police Academy 3: Back to training.

Although various on-camera appearances will follow, including a recurring role in 1991-93 in Los Angeles Law, Metrano’s career was dramatically curtailed in September 1989, when he fell from a ladder at his Los Angeles home, suffering severe head and back injuries that left him without full use of his limbs. He then used a wheelchair to present a one-man show that used humor to recount his accident and difficult recovery. He retired from show business in 2001.

Memoirs of Metrono Twice blessed was released in 1994.

He is survived by his wife Jamie, four children and other family members.