Paul Maslansky
American film producer and writer (1933–2024)
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Paul Marc Maslansky (/məˈzlænski/ mə-ZLAN-skee;[1] November 23, 1933 – December 2, 2024) was an American film producer and writer best known for the Police Academy franchise, and directing the Blaxploitation horror film Sugar Hill (1974).
November 23, 1933
Paul Maslansky | |
|---|---|
 Maslansky in 1999 | |
| Born | Paul Marc Maslansky November 23, 1933 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 2, 2024 (aged 91) Los Robles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Producer, writer |
| Years active | 1964–2024 |
Early life
Maslansky was born in Harlem, New York, on November 23, 1933. He played jazz for a living while briefly attending law school in New York. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1954.[2]
Career
Maslansky had 41 film credits as producer or executive producer. His first production credit was for 1964's Castle of the Living Dead, which starred Christopher Lee. Initially, Maslansky used his middle initial in his credits, though this was later dropped. Maslansky worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as producer, notable credits include Race with the Devil, Damnation Alley, The Villain, and Love Child. He also directed the Blaxploitation Southern Gothic horror film Sugar Hill (1974).[3]
Maslansky was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the 1978 series King.
Maslansky had a breakthrough hit with Police Academy in 1984. From a budget of $4.1 million, the film grossed $155 million and spawned a film franchise and television series Police Academy: The Series, which Maslansky wrote.[4]
He frequently made cameo appearances in the Police Academy movies.
Maslansky's notable credits following Police Academy include 1985's Return to Oz, 1990's The Russia House and Fluke in 1995.
The Lenfest Center for the Art's 'Maslansky Rehearsal Hall' in Lexington is named after him.[2]
Death
Maslansky died in Los Robles, California, on December 2, 2024, aged 91.[5][6]
Filmography
Maslansky was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film
- As writer
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Castle of the Living Dead | |
| 1984 | Police Academy | Uncredited |
- As an actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Race with the Devil | Road Worker in Cowboy Hat | Uncredited |
| 1978 | Circle of Iron | Student at Temple | |
| 1986 | Police Academy 3: Back in Training | Man #4 in Police Line-up | |
| 1987 | Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | Retirement Home Warden | |
| 1988 | Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach | Homeless Man at Museum | |
| 1989 | Police Academy 6: City Under Siege | Man at Precinct Payphone | |
| 2021 | Silent Life | Adolph Zukor |
- Production manager
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Jason and the Argonauts | Unit manager |
| 1969 | The Red Tent | Executive in charge of production |
- As director
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1974 | Sugar Hill |
- Second unit director or assistant director
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Race with the Devil | Second unit director | Uncredited |
- Miscellaneous crew
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Long Ships | Assistant to producer |
Television
| Year | Title | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Gun and the Pulpit | Television film | |
| 1978 | King | ||
| 1987 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Executive producer | |
| 1988 | Police Academy | Executive producer | |
| 1997–98 | Police Academy: The Series | Executive producer |
- As writer
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Police Academy: The Series |
- As an actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Police Academy: The Series | Grumpy Man at Table Grumpy Man in Convertible | Uncredited |