Yahoo Lifestyle Paul Maslansky, ‘Police Academy’ Producer, Dies at 91
Paul Maslansky, a producer behind films such as “Police Academy” and “Return to Oz,” died on Monday of natural causes at a hospital in Los Robles, Calif. He was 91.
Maslansky collaborated frequently with Oscar winner Alan Ladd Jr. Together they worked on “The Russia House,” “Death Line,” “Race With the Devil” and “Damnation Alley.” He also produced “Love Child” in 1982 as well as the 1979 comedy film “Scavenger Hunt” and the 1995 fantasy feature “Fluke,” starring Matthew Modine.
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Following the production of “Love Child,” Ladd requested that Maslansky advise on The Ladd Co.’s upcoming movie “The Right Stuff.” After watching the parade scene in the film, Maslansky wrote a short story about a group of police cadets. This would go on to become “Police Academy,” which grossed $82 million in 1984 and led to six film sequels, an animated television show and a live-action series.
Prior to the film’s theatrical release, Maslansky was hired by Disney as a producer on 1985’s “Return to Oz.” He then moved up the ladder through films such as “Jason and the Argonauts,” “The Running Man” and “The Long Ships.”
Maslansky also directed the 1974 feature “Sugar Hill” and was nominated for an Emmy Award for producing the 1978 NBC miniseries “King,” which follows the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The New Yorker graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1954 and spent two years in the U.S. armed forces. He later attended NYU Law School for about a year, worked as a musician and eventually moved to Paris.
His partner Sally Emr said she and Maslansky had an official marriage ceremony at the hospital in Los Robles before his death. He is survived by his children Sacha, Sabina and Samuel, as well as his grandchildren Gigi and Ashton.
Maslansky was preceded in death by his younger brother, Michael, who worked as a publicist for such actors as Katharine Hepburn, Jessica Lange, Peter Finch, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Sylvester Stallone and Marty Feldman.
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