Paul Marc Maslansky ( ; November 23, 1933 â December 2, 2024) was an American film producer and writer best known for the Police Academy franchise, and directing the Blaxploitation horror film Sugar Hill (1974).
Maslansky was born in Harlem, New York, on November 23, 1933. He played jazz for a living while briefly attending law school in New York. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1954.
Maslansky had 41 film credits as producer or executive producer. His first production credit was for 1964's Castle of the Living Dead, which starred Christopher Lee. Initially, Maslansky used his middle initial in his credits, though this was later dropped. Maslansky worked throughout the 1960s and 1970s as producer, notable credits include Race with the Devil, Damnation Alley, The Villain, and Love Child. He also directed the Blaxploitation Southern Gothic horror film Sugar Hill (1974).
Maslansky was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the 1978 series King.
Maslansky had a breakthrough hit with Police Academy in 1984. From a budget of $4.1 million, the film grossed $155 million and spawned a film franchise and television series ', which Maslansky wrote.
He frequently made cameo appearances in the Police Academy movies.
Maslansky's notable credits following Police Academy include 1985's Return to Oz, 1990's The Russia House and Fluke in 1995.
The Lenfest Center for the Art's 'Maslansky Rehearsal Hall' in Lexington is named after him.
Maslansky died in Los Robles, California, on December 2, 2024, aged 91.
Maslansky was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.