R.I.P. Punky Brewster Foster Dad Actor George Gaynes Dies

George Gaynes, who played Soleil Moon Frye‘s foster parent on 80s TV show “Punky Brewster,” has died. He was 98.

Gaynes played in countless movie and TV shows, including the commander in seven “Police Academy” films and the soap opera star with a crush on Dustin Hoffman in Hollywood blockbuster “Tootsie.”

Gaynes died on Monday at his daughter’s home in North Bend, Wash. He was 98. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown. With his baritone voice, chiseled good looks and versatility as a character actor and singer, Mr. Gaynes appeared in hundreds of episodes of sitcoms and dramas on television, 35 Hollywood and made-for-TV films, and many plays, musical comedies and operas in New York and Europe. h/t nytimes

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gaynes’ family and friends at this difficult time.