Veteran American character actor Peter Van Norden has died at the age of 75. His son, Robert, confirmed the news on social media, saying Van Norden passed away peacefully the night before with his wife, Wendy, by his side.
In his post, Robert described his father as a respected actor and a loving father, husband, and friend, adding that the family will always remember him.
Wendy said Van Norden had faced multiple health issues recently and died at a hospice facility in Southern California after receiving ongoing treatment and care, with family members accompanying him in his final days.
Born in New York, Van Norden entered the film industry in the late 1970s and built a career spanning roughly four decades, appearing in numerous film and television productions. He was widely known for his roles in comedy titles including Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, in which he played Vinnie Schtulman, and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, where he portrayed a former White House chief of staff. He also made guest appearances on popular TV series such as Cheers.
In addition to screen work, Van Norden was active in theater for many years, performing on Broadway and at theaters across the United States. In 2025, he appeared in the Los Angeles stage production Corktown '39, playing the role of Joe—reported as his final performance.
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