Actor Peter Van Norden died on Thursday, July 9, at the age of 75, following a career spanning decades in film, television, and theater. His wife, Wendy, confirmed his death to TMZ, stating he passed away peacefully at a hospice facility in Southern California while battling various health conditions.

Norden, born in New York City on December 16, 1950, began his professional acting career in theater in 1975 with a role in Shakespeare's "Measure For Measure." He continued to perform in stage productions throughout the late 1970s, including "Antigone," "Tartuffe," "Romeo And Juliet," and "Saint Joan."

His film debut came in 1979 with the comedic film "Squeeze Play!" The early 1980s saw him take on roles in movies such as "Headin' For Broadway" and "Waitress!" He also made television appearances in popular series like "Cheers," "St. Elsewhere," and "T.J. Hooker" during that decade.

IMAGE2 Norden is perhaps best known to film audiences for his role as Officer Vinnie Schtulman in the 1985 film "Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment." He also appeared in the 1991 film "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell Of Fear." Earlier film credits include "Hard To Hold" in 1984 and "Roadhouse 66," also in 1984, where he starred alongside Willem Dafoe and Judge Reinhold.

Throughout his career, Norden continued to balance his film work with television roles. He guest-starred in episodes of "Family Ties," "Hill Street Blues," "Murder, She Wrote," "Family Matters," "The Invisible Man," and "ER." In 1988, he played Attorney Paulsen in the critically acclaimed legal drama "The Accused," starring Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis.

IMAGE5 Norden also had a significant role in the 1994 TV miniseries "The Stand." His most recent credited work was the short film "No Sound But The Sea," released in 2025.

In addition to his screen work, Norden remained active in theater, appearing in productions of "Hamlet," "The Cradle Will Rock," "Don Quixote," "Hairspray," and "Macbeth." In 2002, he was part of the production of "Art," and in the year prior to his death, he starred in "Corktown '39" at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles.

IMAGE3 His wife Wendy stated that he died peacefully, with her by his side at the hospice facility.

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