Paul Maslansky, ‘Police Academy’ Producer, Dies at 91

As a cinephile with a deep-rooted appreciation for the intricacies of filmmaking, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss upon hearing about the demise of Paul Maslansky. A man who not only graced our screens with his visionary work but also played an instrumental role in shaping the careers of some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, he was truly a titan in the world of cinema.

Paul Maslansky, the creative mind behind movies like “Police Academy” and “Return to Oz,” passed away at a Los Robles, California hospital on Monday due to natural reasons. He was 91 years old.

Maslansky often teamed up with Academy Award-winning producer Alan Ladd Jr. Their joint projects included “The Russia House”, “Death Line”, “Race With the Devil”, and “Damnation Alley”. Additionally, he was responsible for the 1982 film “Love Child” and the 1979 comedy movie “Scavenger Hunt”. In 1995, he also produced the fantasy feature “Fluke”, which starred Matthew Modine.

After the completion of “Love Child,” Ladd sought Maslansky’s counsel for The Ladd Co.’s next movie, “The Right Stuff.” Upon viewing the marching scene in the production, Maslansky penned a brief tale about a band of trainee police officers. This narrative eventually evolved into “Police Academy,” which raked in $82 million in 1984 and spurred six film sequels, an animated television spin-off, and a live-action series.

Before the movie “Return to Oz” hit theaters in 1985, Maslansky was employed by Disney as a producer. He subsequently climbed the ranks in filmmaking, working on projects like “Jason and the Argonauts,” “The Running Man,” and “The Long Ships.

Maslansky, in addition to his roles, helmed the 1974 film “Sugar Hill” and earned an Emmy nomination for producing the 1978 NBC miniseries titled “King.” This captivating production chronicles the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1954, a graduate from Washington & Lee University named The New Yorker served in the U.S. military for two years. After that, he attended New York University’s Law School for approximately a year before pursuing a career as a musician. Eventually, he relocated to Paris.

Sally Emr stated that they, along with Maslansky, had a formal wedding ceremony at the Los Robles Hospital prior to his passing. His offspring, Sacha, Sabina, and Samuel, as well as his grandkids Gigi and Ashton, are among those who carry on after him.

Maslansky was predeceased by his younger sibling, Michael, who had a career as a publicist for numerous actors including Katharine Hepburn, Jessica Lange, Peter Finch, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Sylvester Stallone, and Marty Feldman.

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2024-12-07 21:18