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David Graf
David Graf
David Graf
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Paul David Graf (April 16, 1950 – April 7, 2001) was an American actor, best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy series of films.[1][2]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Graf was born in Lancaster, Ohio and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1968. He studied theatre at Otterbein College in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated in 1972. He attended graduate school at The Ohio State University until 1975, when he dropped out to pursue his acting career.

Acting career

[edit]

Graf made his first television appearance as a contestant on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid in December 1979, where he teamed with actress Patty Duke. He would later appear on subsequent versions of the show as a celebrity contestant, twice with Duke. As a struggling actor in the early 1980s, he also took small roles in popular TV shows, including M*A*S*H, The Dukes of Hazzard, Airwolf, Hardcastle and McCormick and The A-Team.

He made his film debut in 1981 when he played Gergley in the drama Four Friends. Graf later played the trigger-happy Eugene Tackleberry in the 1984 comedy Police Academy, and starred in each of the sequels. In 1986, Graf had a role as Councilman Harlan Nash on the short-lived sitcom He's the Mayor. In 1990, Graf appeared in the final two episodes of the series Beauty and the Beast. In 1992, Graf returned to play a minor role as a police officer again for the comedy series Seinfeld during its fourth-season episode "The Ticket" and also appeared on Night Court. He played Tackleberry for the final time in a guest appearance on the short-lived Police Academy: The Series. Also in November 1992, Graf appeared on Family Matters where he played Sgt. Shiska.

Graf made various guest appearances following his role in the Police Academy series, including a recurring role in The West Wing, several appearances in Star Trek: Voyager episode ("The 37s") and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the latter series, he played a Klingon called Leskit in the fifth-season episode "Soldiers of the Empire".

Graf was Lt. Weismann in the movie Suture in 1993 and Ralph Brinker in the Disney Channel movie Brink! in 1998.

Graf made a guest appearance in an episode of the short-lived ABC sitcom Teen Angel as a camp leader for Steve Beauchamp's little sister Katie, in the 1997–1998 season. In 2000, he made an appearance on The Amanda Show as a paramedic who accidentally swapped pagers with Amanda Bynes. He also made an appearance on Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman season 2 episode 20 as a reporter for the Daily Planet.

Graf had a small role in 1995's The Brady Bunch Movie, portraying Alice's boyfriend Sam Franklin, the butcher. In 1996, Graf made a guest appearance in Promised Land, which was a spinoff of Touched by an Angel. He played the role of a grieving husband whose wife died while working for a company and he went there trying to find answers to her death.

Graf guest starred in several episodes of ABC's sitcom Step By Step in the 1990s. He also starred in the second episode of the third season of ABC's Home Improvement as angler Chuck Norwood. Some of his last acting performances were two guest appearances as The Pentagon staff member Colonel Chase in the series The West Wing ("The Drop-In" and "The Portland Trip") and as Jacques Douche in the Son of the Beach TV series episode "Grand Prix". Graf's last acting role was the Nickelodeon sitcom The Amanda Show, just three months before his death.

Screen Actors Guild

[edit]

Besides his acting, Graf was a representative of the Screen Actors Guild. As well as serving as a Hollywood union rep, he was on SAG's national board, TV-theatrical steering committee, and national disciplinary review committee. Graf sought fair treatment for his fellow actors and actresses, which included efforts for better working conditions for the acting community.[3]

Personal life

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Graf married Kathryn Graf in 1983.[4] They had two sons.[5]

Death

[edit]

While attending his brother-in-law's wedding in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 7, 2001, Graf died from a sudden heart attack at the age of 50.[4] He is buried at Forest Rose Cemetery in Lancaster, Ohio.[1]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Four Friends Gergley
1981 The Dukes of Hazzard Maury Season 3, Ep. 22 The Canterbury Crock
1982 M*A*S*H Lt. Spears Season 10, Ep. 14 "A Holy Mess"
1983 Voyagers Sgt. Mike Season 1, Ep. 14 "Sneak Attack"
1983 The A-Team Cooper Season 2, Ep. 4 "Bad Time on the Border"
1984 Police Academy Cadet Eugene Tackleberry
1984 Irreconcilable Differences Bink
1984 Airwolf Billie Season 2, Ep. 1 "Sweet Britches"
1985 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training
1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
1987 Love at Stake Nathaniel
1987 Night Court Horace "Hondo" Jenkins Season 5, episode 6 "Mac's Dilemma"
1988 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
1990 Elvis Bob Neal (promoter) 4 episodes
1991 Without a Pass White Officer - 1990
1991 Quantum Leap Sheriff Nolan Season 3, Ep 16 "Southern Comforts"
1992 Family Matters Sergeant Shishka 1 episode
1992 Seinfeld Cop #2 1 episode
1993 American Kickboxer 2 Howard
1993 For Their Own Good Miles
1993 Suture Lt. Weismann
1993 Home Improvement Chuck Norwood Season 3 Ep.2 Aisle See You in My Dreams
1994 Guarding Tess Lee Danielson
1994 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry
1994 Roseanne: An Unauthorized Biography Tom Arnold TV movie
1995 Fist of Legend English version, Voice
1995 Dragon Kid Voice
1995 Star Trek: Voyager Fred Noonan "The '37s"[6]
1995 The Brady Bunch Movie Sam Franklin
1996 Hijacked: Flight 285 Alcoholic
1996 Citizen Ruth Judge Richter [7]
1996 Martin Officer Hayes
1997 Step by Step Dave Season 6, Ep. 4 “Just Say Maybe”
1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Leskit Season 5, Ep. 21 "Soldiers of the Empire"
1998 Brink! Ralph Brinker
1999 Touched by an Angel Dewey Burton Season 5, Ep. 18 "Anatomy Lesson"
1999 JAG John Newman Season 4, Ep. 18 “Shakedown”
2000 Rules of Engagement ARG Commander
2000 The Cactus Kid Charles
2000 Arli$$ Col. Sadowski
2000 Becker Lloyd Martin Season 2, Ep. 21 "Sight Unseen"
2000 Diagnosis Murder John Season 7, Ep. 21 "Swan Song"
2000-2001 The West Wing Colonel Chase "The Drop-In" and "The Portland Trip"

References

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David Graf

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Paul David Graf (April 16, 1950 – April 7, 2001) was an American actor best known for his role as the weapons-obsessed Sergeant Eugene Tackleberry in the Police Academy film series. Born in , Graf graduated from Lancaster High School in 1968 and studied theater at Otterbein College in , earning his degree in 1972; he briefly attended before dropping out to pursue acting full-time. His early career included a 1979 appearance as a contestant on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid, marking his first professional television exposure. Over two decades in Hollywood, he built a prolific supporting career in film and television, appearing in notable movies such as (1994), (1995), (1996), and (2000), alongside the seven Police Academy installments from 1984 to 1994. On television, Graf guest-starred in popular series including , , , , and . He was married to and had two children. Graf died of a sudden heart attack in , at age 50.

Early life and education

Early life

Paul David Graf was born on April 16, 1950, in , to parents Paul Frederick Graf and Angela Bernadine Abels Graf. He grew up in the small town of Lancaster, alongside his brother, in a family that provided a stable Midwestern upbringing. During his childhood in Lancaster, Graf developed an early fascination with performance, which blossomed into a clear passion for by his high school years. He attended Lancaster High , where his love for theater and drama became predominant, leading to active participation in the school's drama club and school plays. These experiences in local theater and dramatic productions ignited his enduring interest in the , shaping his future path. Graf graduated from Lancaster High School in 1968. Following this, he transitioned to formal education at Otterbein College to pursue theater studies.

Education

Graf attended Otterbein College in , from 1968 to 1972, pursuing a degree in . His early interest in acting, nurtured in Lancaster, guided him toward this academic path. At Otterbein, Graf immersed himself in the drama department's activities, performing in numerous university theater productions. Notable roles included Oliver Surface in , Capulet in , and Lazar Wolf in . He graduated with his B.A. in 1972. Immediately following graduation, Graf continued his involvement through Otterbein Summer Theatre, portraying Dr. John Buchanan Sr. in Tennessee Williams's and appearing in Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness!. These engagements marked his initial forays into post-academic theater, including auditions for regional professional opportunities. After these summer engagements, Graf attended graduate school at for approximately two years, dropping out in 1975 to pursue full-time.

Acting career

Early career

Following his graduation from Otterbein College in 1972 with a degree in theater, David Graf briefly attended graduate school at before dropping out in 1975 to pursue acting professionally in . There, he spent the latter half of the 1970s building experience through various stage performances, though specific productions remain sparsely documented in available records. In the late 1970s, Graf relocated to to seek greater opportunities in television and film. His first on-screen appearance came in December 1979 as a contestant on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid, where he teamed with actress and won $10,000—a notable boost during his early struggles as an . As a newcomer facing the typical hardships of the industry, including inconsistent work and financial pressures, Graf supplemented his income with occasional commercials while auditioning for roles. Graf's breakthrough in scripted television arrived in the early with guest spots that helped establish his versatility. He appeared as Maury in the April 1981 episode "The Canterbury Crock" of . The following year, he appeared as Lieutenant Spears in the February 1982 episode "A Holy Mess," playing a navigating the chaos of the 4077th MASH unit. These roles, along with a small part as Sgt. Mike in the 1983 Voyagers! episode "Sneak Attack," allowed him to gain visibility amid the competitive scene. His film debut came in 1981 with the coming-of-age drama Four Friends, directed by , where he played the minor role of Gergely, a Hungarian immigrant friend of the protagonists. This appearance marked his entry into feature films, rounding out a foundational period defined by persistence and incremental progress despite the era's challenges for aspiring actors.

Police Academy series

David Graf was cast as Eugene Tackleberry in the 1984 comedy film , where he portrayed a trigger-happy, no-nonsense officer obsessed with firearms and marksmanship. The character quickly became a fan favorite for his delivery and exaggerated enthusiasm for weapons, often demonstrated in chaotic training scenes and shootouts. Graf reprised the role in all six sequels, appearing as Tackleberry from Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) through Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989), and returning for the seventh installment, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994). Across the franchise, Tackleberry's character evolved from a lone recruit to a seasoned sergeant, maintaining his core traits of expert marksmanship and military precision while forming key relationships, such as his romance and marriage to fellow officer Kathleen Kirkland in the second film. These developments added layers to Tackleberry, blending his tough exterior with moments of vulnerability and partnership. The Police Academy series provided a significant career boost for Graf, establishing him as a recognizable in Hollywood and leading to steady work in comedies, though it also resulted in as the archetypal tough cop. The franchise's enduring popularity ensured lasting fan recognition, with Graf's portrayal of Tackleberry remaining his most iconic role throughout his career.

Other notable roles

Beyond his breakthrough in the Police Academy franchise, Graf's rising popularity opened doors to a range of supporting roles in film and television that highlighted his ability to portray authoritative yet comedic figures across genres. In film, Graf appeared as Secret Service Agent Lee Danielson in the 1994 comedy-drama Guarding Tess, directed by Hugh Wilson, where he supported Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage in a story about a former First Lady's protective detail. He followed this with the role of Sam Franklin, the affable butcher and boyfriend to the family's housekeeper Alice, in the 1995 satirical family comedy The Brady Bunch Movie, which parodied the classic 1970s sitcom and starred Shelley Long and Gary Cole. Additionally, he played Judge Richter in the 1996 independent drama Citizen Ruth, a satirical look at abortion rights starring Laura Dern, demonstrating his range in more serious, socially charged narratives. On television, Graf made memorable guest appearances that often leveraged his authoritative persona for comic effect. In 1995, he portrayed , the aviator companion to , in the episode "," blending with elements in the series' second season. He appeared as a police officer in the 1992 Seinfeld episode "The Ticket," interacting with Jerry and Kramer in a classic diner scene that underscored the show's absurd humor. Graf also guest-starred in series such as , , , , and . These roles, spanning sci-fi, sitcoms, and prime-time dramas, exemplified his versatility as a throughout the 1990s.

Screen Actors Guild involvement

Board positions and committees

David Graf was elected as a Hollywood branch representative to the (SAG) national board of directors in 1998, securing a three-year term on the 105-member body. In addition to his board role, Graf served on several key SAG committees, including the TV-Theatrical Steering Committee, which oversaw negotiations for union contracts in film and television productions; the New Technologies Caucus, addressing emerging media challenges; and the National Disciplinary Review Committee, handling internal union governance issues. His involvement in SAG , facilitated by his established career, spanned from the late until his death in 2001, during which he contributed to strategic discussions on contract terms and technological adaptations affecting performers.

Advocacy efforts

During his tenure on the (SAG) national board as a Hollywood representative, David Graf emerged as a committed union activist focused on enhancing working conditions for actors. His centered on securing fair pay and benefits, especially for supporting performers who frequently navigated precarious employment landscapes in the industry. Graf collaborated with fellow board members on key policy reforms in the late 1990s, contributing to broader SAG efforts against exploitative contracts and in support of residuals for emerging media formats. These initiatives aimed to protect performers' financial security amid rapid technological changes in entertainment. Within the union, Graf earned recognition for his unwavering dedication to advancing the rights of his peers, with SAG president lauding his kindness, generosity, and tireless commitment to the collective betterment of actors.

Personal life and death

Family

David Graf married actress on November 5, 1983. The couple had two sons, Daniel and . Their son Daniel later pursued a career in acting, establishing himself in theater, film, and television in New York. The family resided in during the height of Graf's acting career. Graf's death occurred during his brother-in-law's wedding in 2001.

Death

On April 7, 2001, David Graf suffered a sudden heart attack while attending his brother-in-law's wedding in , and was pronounced dead at a local at the age of 50, just nine days before his 51st birthday. His wife and two sons were present at the event. Heart disease ran in Graf's family, with both his father and grandfather having died from sudden heart attacks at age 51. Graf's funeral services were held on April 13, 2001, at First Christian Church in Studio City, , and were attended by many of his co-stars from the Police Academy films. He was buried at Forest Rose Cemetery in .

Filmography

Films

David Graf made his film debut in the 1981 coming-of-age drama Four Friends, where he played the supporting role of Gergely, a friend of the protagonists navigating life in a small town during the . In 1983, he appeared in the thriller as Deason, a minor role in a story about a secret society of judges taking vigilante justice against criminals evading the law. Graf's breakthrough came with the 1984 comedy , in which he portrayed the gun-enthusiast cadet Eugene Tackleberry; he reprised this character in six sequels through 1994, becoming synonymous with the franchise's humorous take on training (Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985), Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986), Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987), Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988), Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989), and Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)), roles detailed in the dedicated section on the series. That same year, Graf had a small part as Bink, a pilot, in the family comedy Irreconcilable Differences, depicting assistance in a custody battle involving a child star. Following the Police Academy success, Graf continued in supporting roles within comedies and action films. In 1993, he also appeared as Carl the Coach in the action film American Kickboxer 2. His appearance in the psychological thriller Suture was as Lt. Weismann, a detective aiding in an investigation of mistaken identity and plastic surgery. In 1994, Graf portrayed Secret Service agent Derek Barnes in the comedy-drama , supporting as a former , in a exploring loyalty and protection amid political intrigue. He played Sam Durrance, a sleazy salesman, in the 1995 parody , contributing to the film's satirical take on the classic TV family adapting to modern life. Graf's 1996 roles included Harlan Miller in the satirical drama , a hardware store owner entangled in the , and Roy in the romantic comedy , as a delivery man in a story of mistaken identities and radio advice. In 1997's action-comedy remake , he appeared as Commander Quirk, a naval officer in comedic misadventures during . In 1998, Graf played Ralph Brinker in the TV movie Brink!, a story about in-line skating and competition. Graf's final film roles came in 2000: Colonel Hayes in the military courtroom thriller , a Marine officer in a story of command decisions and trial, and Charles in The Cactus Kid, a Western comedy.

Television

David Graf began his television career in the early with guest appearances on popular series, marking his transition from stage work to screen roles.

1970s and 1980s

Graf's early television work included guest spots on Western and adventure shows. In 1981, he played Maury in (Season 3, Episode 21: "The Canterbury Crock"). His role as Lt. Spears, an infantry commander seeking sanctuary for an AWOL soldier, in (Season 10, Episode 14: "A Holy Mess," 1982) showcased his ability to portray authoritative military figures. Later that year, he guest-starred in (May 24, 1982). In 1983, Graf appeared as Sgt. Mike in Voyagers! (one episode) and as Cooper in The A-Team (one episode). He also had guest roles on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island during this period, often playing supporting characters in ensemble formats. From 1987 to 1990, he provided the voice of Beastly in the animated series The Raccoons. In 1988–1989, Graf reprised his film character as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the short-lived sitcom Police Academy: The Series (13 episodes). Additional 1980s appearances included Beauty and the Beast (1987, as Martin) and Airwolf (one episode).

1990s

The 1990s saw Graf in a mix of sitcoms, sci-fi, and animated projects. He played Wally, a security guard, in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Season 1, Episode 4: "I'm Looking Through You," 1993). In 1992, he appeared as Cop #2 in Seinfeld (Season 4, Episode 4: "The Ticket"). Graf had recurring guest roles in Step by Step across multiple episodes in the mid-1990s, portraying various neighbors and authority figures. He also appeared in Home Improvement (Season 3, Episode 2, 1993) as Chuck Norwood. In science fiction, Graf guest-starred as Fred Noonan, the historical aviator, in Star Trek: Voyager (Season 2, Episode 8: "The 37's," 1995). He voiced the Klingon helm officer Leskit in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Season 5, Episode 21: "Soldiers of the Empire," 1997). Other notable 1990s roles included Sgt. Shishka in Family Matters (one episode), Coach Bloom in Brooklyn Bridge (one episode), and appearances in Doogie Howser, M.D. and Great Scott!. Graf provided voices for Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994–1997, multiple characters including Belch Monster) and The Wild Thornberrys (1998, as Head Finch/Iguana). He returned as Tackleberry for Police Academy: The Series (1997, one episode). Additional guest spots included Quantum Leap (as Deputy in "The Boogieman," 1990), Sports Night (1998, as Chase), and Walker, Texas Ranger (one episode).

2000s

Graf's final television work included military roles reflecting his . He portrayed Chase in The West Wing (Season 1, Episode 10: "," 2000). Other late appearances were as Jacques in Son of the Beach (2000–2001, recurring) and as an EMT in The Amanda Show (2000). His career on television emphasized versatile supporting parts in both live-action and , often leveraging his authoritative presence.

References

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  9. https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=1004&context=summer_production_1972&type=additional
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  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0333701/trivia/
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