George Gaynes, a 25-year Santa Barbara resident and Hollywood character actor famous for his roles in such films as Tootsie, Punky Brewster, and the Police Academy series, died at age 98.
Chiseled of feature and stentorian of tone, Gaynes — the father of former Santa Barbara city councilmember Iya Falcone Brown — was also active in local political causes and campaigns with a Democratic tilt. In lieu of flowers, Gaynes asked that donations be made to Heal the Ocean.