Arthur Metrano (September 22, 1936 – September 8, 2021) was an American actor. He was noted for his role as Lt./Capt./Cmdt. Mauser in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment and Police Academy 3: Back in Training.
Art Metrano | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo of Art Metrano | |
| Born | Arthur Metrano September 22, 1936 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | September 8, 2021 (aged 84) Aventura, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1961–2008 |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 4 |
Career edit
Metrano's film debut was as a truck driver in the 1961 Cold War thriller Rocket Attack U.S.A..[1] Among Metrano's TV appearances were a 1968 episode of Ironside,[2] a 1970 episode of Bewitched, a 1976 episode of The Practice, and The Streets of San Francisco.[3] In 1977, he was a regular in the cast of the short-lived CBS situation comedy Loves Me, Loves Me Not.[4]
He also frequently appeared on talk and variety shows in the early 1970s, especially The Tonight Show, as The Great Metrano, a "magician" who performed absurd tricks, such as making his fingers "jump" from one hand to another, while constantly humming an inane theme song – "Fine and Dandy", an early 1930s composition by Kay Swift.[5]
His best-known role came in 1985 as Lt./Capt./Cmdt. Mauser in Police Academy 2. He reprised the role in its sequel Police Academy 3 a year later.[1]
After injuring his spine in 1989, Metrano's on-screen appearances became limited during his rehabilitation. He did, however, return to television a year later and continued making guest appearances and small roles until retiring from acting in 2001.[6][7] Between 1993 and 2001, Metrano infrequently toured a one-man show titled "Jews Don't Belong on Ladders...An Accidental Comedy", which has raised more than $75,000 for Project Support for Spinal Cord Injury, to help buy crutches, wheelchairs, and supplies for disabled people.[8] After a final limited set of shows in 2008, Metrano retired.[9][10]
In December 2007, Metrano sued Seth MacFarlane, the producers and studio behind the television show Family Guy, asserting copyright infringement, and asking for damages of over two million dollars. The suit pertained to a "cutaway" segment from the 2005 episode Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, where Stewie alludes to the miracles of Jesus Christ being "exaggerated a bit." The cutaway shows Jesus performing to a group of awed onlookers while doing Metrano's act: making his fingers jump between hands while humming "Fine and Dandy".[11][12] The case was settled out of court in 2010 with undisclosed terms.[13][14]
Personal life edit
Originally from Brooklyn, New York City, Metrano lived in Aventura, Florida, with his second wife Jamie Golder.[15] He had four children. He was born to a Turkish Jewish father and a Greek Jewish mother.[16] Following his retirement from acting, Metrano owned a yogurt shop.[17]
On September 17, 1989, Metrano broke his neck and seriously injured his spinal cord after falling off a ladder while working on his house.[18] Initially a quadriplegic,[19][20] he later regained the use of his arms and legs, and was able to walk short distances with the help of crutches, although he regularly used a motorized wheelchair.[21][17]
Death edit
Metrano died of natural causes on September 8, 2021, at his home in Aventura, Florida at the age of 84.[1][5]
Filmography edit
- Rocket Attack U.S.A. (1961) — Truck Driver[3][22]
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) — Max[3][22]
- Norma (1970) — Delivery Man[23][24]
- Bonanza (1970) — Leroy Gaskell[3][2]
- They Only Kill Their Masters (1972) — Malcolm[3][22]
- The Heartbreak Kid (1972) — Entertainer[3][22]
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973) — Mario Burtoli[3][22]
- The All-American Boy (1973) — Jay David Swooze[3][22]
- The Treasure of Jamaica Reef (1974) — Waiter[22][23]
- Dirty O'Neil (1974) — Lassiter[3][22]
- The Strongest Man in the World (1975) — TV Color Man[22][23]
- Linda Lovelace for President (1975) — The Sheik [23]
- Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1975) — Henry "Studs" Spake[3]
- Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) — Julius Mareno[3][24]
- Starsky & Hutch (1976, TV Series) — Amboy[3][2]
- Warhead (1977) — Mario[25]
- All in the Family (1978) — Jack[3]
- Matilda (1978) — Gordon Baum[3][23]
- Wonder Woman (1978) — Friedman[3][2]
- The Incredible Hulk (1978) — Charlie[3][2]
- Seven (1979) — Kinsella[3][22]
- Fred and Barney Meet the Thing (1979) – Spike Hanrahan (voice)
- How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) — Gas Station Attendant[3][22]
- Cheaper to Keep Her (1981) — Tony Turino[3][22]
- Going Ape! (1981) — Joey[3][22]
- History of the World, Part I (1981) — Leonardo da Vinci (The Roman Empire)[22][23]
- Breathless (1983) — Birnbaum[3][22]
- Joanie Loves Chachi (1982–1983) — Rico Mastorelli
- Teachers (1984) — Troy[3][22]
- Tiger: Springtime in Vienna (1984) — Tiger[26]
- The A-Team (1985) — Nick Gretsch[3][2]
- Malibu Express (1985) — Matthew[3][23]
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) — Lt. Mauser[3][22]
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986) — Capt. Mauser[3][22]
- The Last Precinct (1986) — Mumbo Bob Volcanus[3]
- Beverly Hills Bodysnatchers (1989) — Vic[3][24]
- Real Men Don't Eat Gummy Bears (1989) — Agent 712[23][24]
- Hunter (1991) — Bert Nadell[3][2]
- Toys (1992) — Guard at Desk[22][23]
- Murder in Mind (1997) — Judge[23][24]
- How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) — Dr. Steinberg[23][24]
- Good Advice (2001) — Homeless Man (final film role)[2]
References edit
- Notes
- ^ a b c Owoseje, Toyin (September 10, 2021). "Art Metrano, star of 'Police Academy' films, dead at 84". CNN. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Art Metrano List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Art Metrano". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Leszczak, Bob (November 8, 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948–1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 110. ISBN 9780786493050.
- ^ a b Barnes, Mike (September 9, 2021). "Art Metrano, Stand-Up Comic and 'Police Academy' Actor, Dies at 84". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (July 12, 2000). "Comedy With Courage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (February 2, 2001). "Welcome Reunion as Metrano Perseveres After Accident". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "Art Metrano – Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "To Do Today". Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. August 22, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Dolen, Christine (August 21, 2008). "Seated in a wheelchair, an actor inspires". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Arthur Metrano, vs. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Seth MacFarlane, Steve Callaghan and Alex Borstein, United States District Court, Central District of California December 5, 2007
- ^ "Magician Claims "Family Guy" Stole His Act". Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
- ^ "SEPARATING THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS: CELEBRITY SATIRE AS FAIR USE" (PDF). p. 802. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2018.
- ^ "www.artmetrano.com/fox". Archived from the original on August 2, 2009.
- ^ Toyin Owoseje (September 10, 2021). "Art Metrano, star of 'Police Academy' films, dead at 84". CNN. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Accidental Comedy's Deliberately Hilarious". November 10, 2004.
- ^ a b WLRN Interview on YouTube
- ^ Strickland, Donna (October 9, 1989). "Personalities: Policeman Better". Tampa Tribune. p. 67. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast".
- ^ Burstein, Patricia (November 30, 1992). "After the Fall". People. 38 (22).
- ^ Variety, 2000
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Art Metrano". American Film Institute. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Art Metrano". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Art Metrano — Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Anklewicz, Larry (2000). Guide to Jewish Films on Video. KTAV Publishing House, Inc. ISBN 9780881256055.
- ^ "Tiger — Frühling in Wien". Austrian Film Commission. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- Bibliography
- Pfefferman, Naomi."Shining Solo Turns: Theater Roundup: Metrano, Connor Tell Their Stories". Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2008., The Jewish Journal, April 7, 2000 (at archive.org)
External links edit
- Art Metrano at IMDb
- Art Metrano at the TCM Movie Database