The ‘Police Academy’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Police Academy is one of the most celebrated buddy comedies of all time. Following a group of underdog cadets who join their local police academy after the option is made available to anyone who’s interested, the movie was a hit with audiences and boosted or launched the careers of several of its stars, including Steven Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall and Michael Winslow.

In 2022, Guttenberg revealed to Forbes that he’s approached Warner Bros. about continuing the franchise (which currently includes seven movies, six of which were made in the ’80s) “several times,” but so far there’s no movement in terms of additional tales. For now, we’ll just have to celebrate the original movie (which turns 40 on March 23, 2024) by taking a look at what the cast of Police Academy is up to today.

The ‘Police Academy’ cast: where are they now?

Steven Guttenberg (Cadet Carey Mahoney)

Guttenberg was already well known when he signed on to Police Academy, and his portrayal of Carey Mahoney helped propel him to greater heights during and after the movie’s filming. He went on to star in three sequels to the original movie, as well as eventual classics Cocoon and 3 Men and a Baby. By the 2000s, Guttenberg was mostly guesting on TV shows. He competed in Dancing With the Stars Season 6 in 2005 and recently appeared in a seven-episode arc on The Goldbergs, which ended its run in 2023.

Kim Cattrall (Cadet Karen Thompson)

Cattrall was also well known for her role in the 1982 movie Porky’s before she joined the cast of Police Academy. Of course, in 1998 she was cast in her most iconic role to date, as Samantha Jones on Sex and the City. She’s since appeared in shows like Queer as Folk, How I Met Your Father and Glamorous.

G.W. Bailey (Thaddeus Harris)

Bailey had already been introduced to audiences through his roles on M*A*S*H* and Goodnight, Beantown, when he signed on to Police Academy. He went on to play Lt. Harris in all six 1980s installments of the franchise, and his post-Police Academy credits include The Jeff Foxworthy Show, American Dreams, and Murder, She Wrote.

Leslie Easterbrook (Sgt. Debbie Callahan)

Easterbrook was best known for her time on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley when she joined the cast of Police Academy. She didn’t appear in the first sequel to the movie, but did show up for Police Academy 3, 4, 5 and 6, as well as the 1994 movie (Police Academy: Mission to Moscow) and an episode of the 1997 TV series (Police Academy: T

Michael Winslow (Cadet Larvell Jones)

Winslow co-starred in two Cheech and Chong movies before he was cast in Police Academy, and the actor reprised the role in each of the subsequent sequels and in the TV series. His additional credits include the New Kids on the Block animated series and Robot Chicken. In 2021, Winslow auditioned for the Season 16 of America’s Got Talent, showcasing his ability to make sound effects with his voice while telling a story about Hollywood Boulevard’s noise. He made it to the semifinals.

George Gaynes (Comm. Eric Lassard)

Gaynes was more than a familiar face by the time Police Academy came around, with credits in Washington: Behind Closed Doors and Tootsie, and he continued to act after the movie’s release, most notably as the grouchy foster parent in the Punky Brewster series, which ran from 1984 (the year the first Police Academy movie came out) until 1988. His last role was in the 2003 comedy Just Married. Gaynes died on Feb. 15, 2016 at the age of 98.

David Graf (Cadet Eugene Tackleberry)

Graf’s television career started with him being a contestant on the The $20,000 Pyramid in 1979, alongside actress Patty Duke. Although he landed smart parts on shows like M*A*S*H and The Dukes of Hazzard, it was his turn as Tackleberry in Police Academy (and all of its sequels) that made him a star. His post-film TV credits include Step by Step and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Graf died of a heart attack on April 7, 2011, just nine days shy of his 51st birthday.

Donovan Scott (Cadet Leslie Barbara)

Scott had a few small roles ahead of Police Academy, but the movie was his big break. Since then he’s been seen in Boston Legal, My Name is Earl, Superstore, Hallmark’s Santa Switch (as seen above right) and more.

Charles “Bubba” Smith (Moses Hightower)

Former NFL defensive end Charles “Bubba” Smith, who played for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers. In addition to reprising his Police Academy role in five sequels, Smith also had parts in Blue Thunder, Half Nelson and Married… With Children, among other titles. Sadly, he died from acute drug intoxication and heart disease in 2011, at the age of 66.