'Breakfast Club' Principal Gleason Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 05-28-2006, 11:12 PM

'Breakfast Club' Principal Gleason Dies

(AP) This undated handout photo provided by Bear Manor Media Publications, shows character actor Paul...Full Image

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - 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.

Through 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.

Jo_Luvs_Ketchup · 05-28-2006, 11:20 PM

Aww how sad! He was funny! RIP

Mr. Television · 05-28-2006, 11:26 PM

That's so sad. R.I.P.

Brian Damage · 05-28-2006, 11:44 PM

Oh My...I loved him in Trading Places.

Skywalker · 05-28-2006, 11:55 PM

R.I.P. Paul

PrettyinPink55 · 05-29-2006, 12:07 AM

Oh wow! R.I.P.

PZelda · 05-29-2006, 12:18 AM

I loved him in TBC.

Cactus Jack · 05-29-2006, 07:55 AM

RIP

He raids in Barry Mnailow's wardrobe no more

Jonathan · 05-29-2006, 08:06 AM

Oh, I loved him in The Breakfast Club. R.I.P. Mr. Gleason.

80sTrivia · 05-29-2006, 09:32 AM

I was sad to hear the news of Paul's passing, as he played such an unforgettable character in The Breakfast Club...

TJL · 05-29-2006, 09:54 AM

Wow. What a shame. He had a great career in TV and movies.

staypuftman2004 · 05-29-2006, 10:42 AM

rusyd · 05-29-2006, 10:51 AM

He was great in the Breakfast Club. God rest his soul.

Moonlight Lady · 05-29-2006, 12:29 PM

That sucks

R.I.P Paul

Nighthawk76 · 05-29-2006, 01:04 PM

05-28-2006, 11:12 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'Breakfast Club' Principal Gleason Dies 'Breakfast Club' Principal Gleason Dies (AP) This undated handout photo provided by Bear Manor Media Publications, shows character actor Paul...Full Image BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - 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. Through 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.

05-28-2006, 11:26 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	That's so sad. R.I.P.
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05-28-2006, 11:44 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Oh My...I loved him in Trading Places.
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05-29-2006, 12:07 AM	#6
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Oh wow! R.I.P.
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05-29-2006, 07:55 AM	#8
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP He raids in Barry Mnailow's wardrobe no more
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05-28-2006, 11:20 PM	#2
Jo_Luvs_Ketchup Member Eternal Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2003 Posts: 4,195	Aww how sad! He was funny! RIP

05-28-2006, 11:55 PM	#5
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	R.I.P. Paul

05-29-2006, 12:18 AM	#7
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	I loved him in TBC.

05-29-2006, 08:06 AM	#9
Jonathan ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Aug 28, 2004 Posts: 2,304	Oh, I loved him in The Breakfast Club. R.I.P. Mr. Gleason.

05-29-2006, 09:32 AM	#10
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I was sad to hear the news of Paul's passing, as he played such an unforgettable character in The Breakfast Club...
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05-29-2006, 09:54 AM	#11
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Wow. What a shame. He had a great career in TV and movies.
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05-29-2006, 10:42 AM	#12
staypuftman2004 NWO-4-LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,450
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05-29-2006, 10:51 AM	#13
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	He was great in the Breakfast Club. God rest his soul.

05-29-2006, 12:29 PM	#14
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	That sucks R.I.P Paul
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05-29-2006, 01:04 PM	#15
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254