Art Metrano dead at 84 – Comedian & Police Academy actor dies of ‘natural causes’ as fans mourn ‘inspirational’ star
ACTOR Art Metrano of Police Academy fame has passed away at the age of 84 from “natural causes.” Art‘s son, Harry, confirmed the tragic news to The Hollywood Reporter. The stand-up comedian died from natural causes at his Aventura, Florida home. In 1989, Art suffered a devastating injury after he fell off a ladder while […]
ACTOR Art Metrano of Police Academy fame has passed away at the age of 84 from “natural causes.”
Art‘s son, Harry, confirmed the tragic news to The Hollywood Reporter.
The stand-up comedian died from natural causes at his Aventura, Florida home.
In 1989, Art suffered a devastating injury after he fell off a ladder while working on the roof of his Los Angeles home. He fractured three vertebrae, rendering him a quadriplegic.
Harry said: “He was at the peak of his career when that happened, and then it just stopped.
“But he managed to enjoy life and overcome adversity.”
Art’s family added: “Art would want all of his friends and family to continue to smile when they think of him and to laugh and continue on celebrating life.”
HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Art was seen as the pompous cop boss Ernie Mauser in the second and third Police Academy comedies.
In the Police Academy movies, Mauser was the butt of the jokes as he lost his eyebrows and shampooed his hair with epoxy resin.
The Brooklyn actor also played the role of Rico Mastorelli, the manager of his nephew Chachi (Scott Baio), Joanie (Erin Moran), and their rock band, on Joanie Loves Chachi, which was a spinoff of Happy Days.
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The TV star had also guest-starred on cop dramas such as The Mod Squad, Barney Miller, Starsky and Hutch, and L.A. Law.
After recovering from his accident, he started a one-man show, Metrano’s Accidental Comedy, and came out on stage in a motorized wheelchair.
THE TRIBUTES
After news that the actor had passed away, Police Academy fans jumped onto social media to praise the comedic actor and send their condolences.
On fan tweeted: “R.I.P. Art Metrano. I cannot count how many times this video has made my kids laugh (at least not without a little magic). Someone in our house regularly sings the song.”
Another fan wrote: “RIP Art Metrano; Police Academy actor and stand-up comic had a great mock magic act that impressed amateur magician Johnny Carson. His comeback from breaking three vertebrae in a fall from a ladder in 1989 was truly inspirational.”
A third person said: “Art Metrano, actor and comedian, dead at 84.”
A fourth person added: “R.I.P. Art Metrano. I cannot count how many times this video has made my kids laugh (at least not without a little magic).”
He is survived by his wife, Jamie, his first wife, Rebecca; children Harry (and his wife, Melissa), Zoe (Mark), Roxanne and Howard, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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