George R Robertson dies at 89: ‘Police Academy’ star who played Chief Hurst in SIX films was a ‘humanitarian’
TORONTO, CANADA: Veteran actor George R Robertson, who starred in six films in the 'Police Academy' franchise as Chief Hurst, died on Sunday, January 29, at the age of 89. He is remembered for playing the old guard, in the series, who was always longing for the days when cops "all had Johnsons."
Although the cause of his death was not revealed, his family confirmed that the actor died at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto this past Sunday. A memorial service is planned for March 2023.
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About George R Robertson
George Ross Robertson was born on April 20, 1933, in Brampton, Ontario. He excelled at hockey and football and received the Allan Hall Memorial Trophy from West Hill High School in 1952. He crossed the border to attend New York's Columbia University and graduated with a Master's degree in Business in 1959, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He met his wife Adele Marie in New York, and the two were married for 61 years. Although Robertson had a degree in management, he decided acting was more his passion and started working in theater. He appeared in supporting roles in several movies during the '60s and the '70s. The actor rose to fame in 1980 after securing his role as Chief Hurst in 'Police Academy'.
George R Robertson's career
Robertson played Hurst in the 1994 Hugh Wilson-directed 'Police Academy', which he continued to play throughout 6 movies, the last in the series being, 'Police Academy 6: City Under Siege' (1989). As the series progresses, his character becomes more understanding of the eccentric recruits headed by Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes). However, after six movies, Robertson chose not to return for the seventh, 'Police Academy: Mission To Moscow' (1994). He then played Barry Goldwater in the 2003 movie 'The Reagans', starring James Brolin and Judy Davis.
Apart from 'Police Academy', Robertson is also known for his roles in three films that were nominated for the best picture Oscar — 'Airport' (1970), 'Norma Rae' (1979), and 'JFK' (1991), according to his IMDb biography. He also played vice president Dick Cheney in the 2006 ABC miniseries 'The Path to 9/11'. He also took on the roles of Admiral Leahy in 'Hiroshima' (1995) and Senator Fulbright in 'The Pentagon Papers' (2003).
George R Robertson's achievements
Robertson won the 1993 Margaret Collier Award, awarded by the CBC, as the best Canadian Writer for his outstanding body of work, The Hollywood Reporter states. He was awarded the 19th Annual Gemini Award - Humanitarian of the Year in 2004, given in honor of his "extraordinary compassion and community involvement (that has had) an enormous impact on the lives of children in Canada and around the world." He also received the Allan Hall Memorial Trophy in 1952 "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."
However, his most important goals were achieved by helping others. In his obituary, his family emphasized the importance of Robertson’s humanitarian work, which included walking 529 kilometers across southwest France to raise money for an orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Robertson also spoke to teenagers in high schools across Canada as a UNICEF ambassador, and in 1990, he was honored with the Danny Kaye UNICEF Canada Award for his Outstanding Contribution.