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Post by Halloween11 on May 28, 2006 22:36:04 GMT -5
BURBANK, Calif. - Paul Gleason, who played the go-to bad guy in "Trading Places" and the angry high school principal in "The Breakfast Club," has died. He was 67. Gleason died at a local hospital Saturday of mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer linked to asbestos, said his wife, Susan Gleason. "Whenever you were with Paul, there was never a dull moment," his wife said. "He was awesome." A native of Miami, Gleason was an avid athlete. Before becoming an actor, he played Triple-A minor league baseball for a handful of clubs in the late 1950s. Gleason honed his acting skills with his mentor Lee Strasberg, whom he studied with at the Actors Studio beginning in the mid-1960s, family members said. Though his career, Gleason appeared in over 60 movies that included "Die Hard," "Johnny Be Good," and "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." Most recently, Gleason made a handful of television appearances in hit shows such as "Friends" and "Seinfeld." Gleason's passions went beyond acting. He had recently published a book of poetry. "He was an athlete, an actor and a poet," said his daughter, Shannon Gleason-Grossman. "He gave me and my sister a love that is beyond description that will be with us and keep us strong for the rest of our lives." Actor Jimmy Hawkins, a friend of Gleason's since the 1960s, said he remembered Gleason for a sharp sense of humor. "He just always had great stories to tell," Hawkins said. Gleason was survived by his wife, two daughters and a granddaughter. Funeral plans were pending. He will be missed
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Post by Stinger on May 29, 2006 18:27:07 GMT -5
I heard about this earlier today. Breakfast Club is a classic. RIP!!
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Post by Cory on May 30, 2006 13:08:37 GMT -5
Man this is really shaking me up. I haven't felt this bad since Pat Morita passed. Well at least he can learn karate from Mr. Miagi in heaven so he can kick Judd Nelson's ass when Judd finally dies.
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