David Graf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Graf
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Graf in June 1989
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| Born |
Paul David Graf
April 16, 1950 Zanesville, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | April 7, 2001 (aged 50) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Rose Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1981–2001 |
| Spouse(s) |
Kathryn Graf
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 2 |
Paul David Graf (born April 16, 1950 – died April 7, 2001) was an American actor. He was best known for his funny role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry. This character was a police officer in the popular Police Academy film series.
Contents
Growing Up and School
David Graf was born in Zanesville, Ohio. He later moved to Lancaster, Ohio, and finished high school there. He loved acting and studied theatre at Otterbein College in Westerville. He graduated from college in 1972. He also went to Ohio State University for a while. But in 1975, he left to chase his dream of becoming an actor.
Becoming an Actor
David Graf first appeared on TV in 1979. He was a contestant on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid. He played with actress Patty Duke. Later, he came back to the show as a celebrity guest.
In the early 1980s, he took small roles in many popular TV shows. These included M*A*S*H, The Dukes of Hazzard, and The A-Team. His first movie role was in 1981 in the drama Four Friends.
The Police Academy Years
David Graf became famous in 1984. He played the character Eugene Tackleberry in the comedy movie Police Academy. Tackleberry was a very enthusiastic police cadet. He loved using his weapons and was always ready for action. The movie was a big hit!
Graf starred in all the Police Academy sequels. He played Tackleberry in seven movies. These movies were very popular with audiences.
Other Roles and Guest Appearances
After Police Academy, Graf appeared in many other TV shows and movies. In 1992, he played a police officer in an episode of Seinfeld. He also appeared on Night Court and Family Matters. He even played Tackleberry one last time in the TV show Police Academy: The Series.
Graf also had roles in science fiction shows. He appeared in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In Deep Space Nine, he played a Klingon character named Leskit.
He was in the Disney Channel movie Brink! in 1998. He played Ralph Brinker. He also had a small role in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995. He played Alice's boyfriend, Sam Franklin.
Graf made guest appearances on shows like Step By Step and Home Improvement. One of his last roles was on The Amanda Show in 2000. He played a paramedic.
Personal Life
David Graf married Kathryn Graf in 1983. They had two sons together.
His Passing
David Graf passed away on April 7, 2001. He was attending his brother-in-law's wedding in Phoenix, Arizona. He had a sudden heart attack. He was just nine days shy of his 51st birthday. Many of his co-stars from the Police Academy movies attended his funeral. He is buried at Forest Rose Cemetery in Lancaster, Ohio.
Images for kids
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Graf in June 1989
See also
In Spanish: David Graf para niños
