AVENTURA, FLA. — Standup comedian and actor Art Metrano, perhaps best known as the pompous cop boss in the second and third Police Academy films, or as a regular on the 1982-83 ABC sitcom “Joanie Loves Chachi,” died at his home here Sept. 8. He was 84.
MSTies will remember his straight role as the truck driver in the movie in episode 205- ROCKET ATTACK U.S.A.
His career skyrocketed in 1970 after he performed a bit as The Amazing Metrano on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” a mock-magic routine which so tickled Carson that, at the end of the act, the virtually unknown comedian was invited to sit next to Carson — great honor in the comedy world.
Aside from his appearance in Rocket Attack USA, I mainly remember him being imitated by Mel Brooks
“Dah-duh-dah-dah, duh-dah-duh-dah. CROTCH! LEGS! LEGS! CROTCH!”
Shame, he was funny as Lieutenant/Commandant Mauser in the Police Academy movies.