Paul Maslansky


Paul Marc Maslansky was an American film producer and writer best known for the Police Academy franchise, and directing the Blaxploitation horror film Sugar Hill.

Early life

Maslansky was born in Harlem, New York, on November 23, 1933. He played jazz for a living while briefly attending law school in New York. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1954.

Career

Maslansky had 41 film credits as producer or executive producer. His first production credit was for 1964's Castle of the Living Dead, which starred Christopher Lee. Initially, Maslansky used his middle initial in his credits, though this was later dropped. Maslansky worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as producer, notable credits include Race with the Devil, Damnation Alley, The Villain, and Love Child. He also directed the Blaxploitation Southern Gothic horror film Sugar Hill.
Maslansky was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the 1978 series King.
Maslansky had a breakthrough hit with Police Academy in 1984. From a budget of $4.1 million, the film grossed $155 million and spawned a film franchise and television series Police Academy: The Series, which Maslansky wrote.
He frequently made cameo appearances in the Police Academy movies.
Maslansky's notable credits following Police Academy include 1985's Return to Oz, 1990's The Russia House and Fluke in 1995.
The Lenfest Center for the Art's 'Maslansky Rehearsal Hall' in Lexington is named after him.

Death

Maslansky died in Los Robles, California, on December 2, 2024, at the age of 91.

Filmography

Maslansky was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

; As writer
YearFilmNotes
1964Castle of the Living Dead
1984Police AcademyUncredited

; As an actor
YearFilmRoleNotes
1975Race with the DevilRoad Worker in Cowboy HatUncredited
1978Circle of IronStudent at TempleUncredited
1986Police Academy 3: Back in TrainingMan #4 in Police Line-upUncredited
1987Police Academy 4: Citizens on PatrolRetirement Home WardenUncredited
1988Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami BeachHomeless Man at MuseumUncredited
1989Police Academy 6: City Under SiegeMan at Precinct PayphoneUncredited
2021Silent LifeAdolph Zukor

; Production manager
YearFilmRole
1963Jason and [the Argonauts (1963 film)|Jason and the Argonauts]Unit manager
1969The [Red Tent (film)|The Red Tent]Executive in charge of production

; As director
YearFilm
1974Sugar Hill

; Second unit director or assistant director
YearFilmRoleNotes
1975Race with the DevilSecond unit directorUncredited

; Miscellaneous crew
YearFilmRole
1964The [Long Ships (film)|The Long Ships]Assistant to producer

Television

; As writer
YearTitle
1997–98Police Academy: The Series

; As an actor
YearTitleRoleNotes
1997–98Police Academy: The SeriesGrumpy Man at Table
Grumpy Man in Convertible		Uncredited