Paul Gleason

Character actor 'Paul Gleason' (qv) was adept at playing tough guys and white collar sleazebags, making his film debut in _Winter A-Go-Go (1965)_ (qv). He made a name for himself portraying these unlikeable characters. A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, Gleason studied extensively at the Actor's Studio in New York City in the mid-60s with 'Lee Strasberg' (qv) (his mentor) and was seen in a handful of 'Roger Corman' (qv) productions before landing a a three-year role on the TV soap opera _All My Children (1970)_ (qv). He appeared in over 60 films, with key roles in _Trading Places (1983)_ (qv), _Die Hard (1988)_ (qv), _Miami Blues (1990)_ (qv), _Boiling Point (1993)_ (qv) and _Van Wilder: Party Liaison (2002)_ (qv). However, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the no-nonsense principal "Richard Vernon" in _The Breakfast Club (1985)_ (qv). He also guest-starred in numerous television series, including _Hill Street Blues (1981)_ (qv), _Dawson's Creek (1998)_ (qv) and _Friends (1994)_ (qv). Gleason passed away of mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer at a Burbank, California hospital on May 29th 2006 at the age of 67.::[email protected]