Character Actor Peter Van Norden Dies at 75

Peter Van Norden, a character actor whose comedic performances enlivened several popular films of the 1980s and 1990s, has died at age 75.

The actor passed away peacefully Thursday morning, July 10, 2026, at a Southern California hospice facility while dealing with several different health conditions, his wife Wendy told TMZ. She was with him when he passed.

A New York City native, Van Norden launched his Hollywood career in the late 1970s with a bit role in the controversial comedy "Squeeze Play." Over the following decade, he built a steady presence in both film and television, appearing in projects that ranged from broad comedy to dramatic fare.

His credits during this period included "Waitress!," the acclaimed sitcom "Cheers," the police drama "T.J. Hooker," the miniseries "The Stand," and "Roadhouse 66," which starred Willem Dafoe and Judge Reinhold.

Comedy enthusiasts will likely remember Van Norden for two particularly memorable roles. He portrayed Officer Vinnie Schtulman in "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment," part of the wildly successful franchise that defined 1980s screwball comedy. He later appeared in "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear," playing former White House Chief of Staff John Sununu in the Leslie Nielsen vehicle.

Beyond his screen work, Van Norden maintained a distinguished career as a stage actor, performing on Broadway and in regional theaters across the country. His commitment to live performance remained strong throughout his career, demonstrating the versatility that made him a working actor for nearly five decades.

Van Norden's final credited performance came last year when he played Joe in a production of "Corktown '39" at the Matrix Theater in Los Angeles. The dramatic piece, which explored the IRA's involvement in World War 2, earned positive reviews from local critics who praised his work in the production.

Van Norden is survived by his wife, Wendy, and their son, Robert.