Paul Gleason Movies
Wiry character actor
Paul Gleason attended Florida State University before making his first off-Broadway appearance in a 1973 revival of
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Gleason's inaugural movie role was Long Tom in Doc Savage (1975), after which he worked extensively in
Roger Corman productions. He is best known for his scowling, obstreperous portrayals of minor authority figures: the principal in
The Breakfast Club (1985), the police chief in
Die Hard (1988), and so on. He was at his most abrasive--and his funniest--as FBI agent Clarence Beeks in
Trading Places (1982). A familiar TV presence since his days as David Thornton on the ABC serial All My Children, Paul Gleason has had recurring roles on such nighttimers as
Spooner, Supercarrier and One West Waikiki. Throughout the '90s Gleason continued to work steadily as a character actor appearing in films as diverse as National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, Running Cool, Maniac Cop 3, and Nothing to Lose. Like his Breakfast Club co-star Molly Ringwald, Gleason willingly spoofed his most iconic performance in the 2001 comedy Not Another Teen Movie. In May of 2006, at the age of 67, Gleason perished from mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer often suffered by people exposed to asbestos. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

- 2013
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- 2006
- R
- Add Abominable to Queue
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With 42,000 sightings in 68 countries, the elusive woodland creature known as Sasquatch, Yeti, and Bigfoot is one of the most enduring natural mysteries ever known to man. Hunted by humans for hundreds of years, the formerly reclusive man-like beast strikes out against his would-be captors in a mountain-based tale of survival and horror starring Jeffrey Combs, Lance Henriksen, and Dee Wallace-Stone. Years ago, mountain climber Preston Rogers (Matt McCoy) suffered a terrible injury that left him wheelchair-bound in his remote cabin. Something strange is happening in the woods these days, though, and if Rogers holds out any hope of saving the lives of either his neighbors or the young college girls on a weekend retreat to the California mountains, he's going to have to convince the skeptical Sheriff Halderman (Paul Gleason) that something sinister is happening amidst the thick foliage of the forest and that numerous lives will be lost if they don't act fast. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Matt McCoy, Hayley Joel, (more)

- 2002
- R
- Add National Lampoon's Van Wilder to Queue
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The "National Lampoon" franchise is resurrected for another politically incorrect collegiate romp with this R-rated gross-out sex comedy. National Lampoon's Van Wilder revolves around the exploits of its title character (Ryan Reynolds), a seventh-year senior who's made it his goal in life to help each and every Coolidge College undergrad succeed in life -- or at least in bed. Van's charmed life seems to have an expiration date, however; his father (Tim Matheson) has cut off his presumably vast allowance. Financial insecurity doesn't phase the big man on campus, and he soon starts up a lucrative cottage industry as a planner of high-priced campus blowouts. When an enterprising reporter from the college paper gets wind of Van's liberal interpretation of the school's code of conduct, it seems his gig is up -- unless, of course, he can charm the hard-edged Gwen (Tara Reid) into accepting his uniquely skewed world view. In addition to Matheson, Van Wilder features cameos from a number of '80s teen movie stalwarts, including Edie McClurg, Paul Gleason, and Erik Estrada. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, (more)

- 2001
- R
- Add Not Another Teen Movie to Queue
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Former MTV executive Joel Gallen makes his feature directorial debut with this broad spoof of the popular teen comedy genre, lampooning dozens of movies including American Pie (1999), American Beauty (1999), Bring It On (2000), Clueless (1995), She's All That (1999), Road Trip (2000), Can't Hardly Wait (1998), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Never Been Kissed (1999), and even the teen films of an earlier era such as The Breakfast Club (1985). At the aptly titled "John Hughes High School," aspiring artist Janey Briggs (Chyler Leigh) is an outcast because of her plain, bespectacled looks and paint-splattered overalls. Football hero Jake Wyler (Chris Evans) makes a bet that he can transform Janey into a gorgeous prom queen, a wager he may come to regret as he discovers Janey's true inner beauty. As their relationship blossoms, several other characters are limned, including a Nasty Cheerleader (Jaime Pressly), a Token Black Guy (Deon Richmond), a Stupid Fat Guy (Ron Lester), an Obsessed Best Friend (Eric Jungmann), an Undercover Reporter (Beverly Polcyn), the Cruelest Girl in School (Mia Kirshner), a Cocky Blonde Guy (Eric Christian Olsen), and several others. A nod to the multiple films that inspired it, Not Another Teen Movie (2001) was originally to have been entitled "Ten Things I Hate About Clueless Road Trips When I Can't Hardly Wait to Be Kissed." ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, (more)

- 2000
-
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single hour-long episode), the gang continues to imagine what their lives would have been like had they made different choices. In this "alternate reality," Ross (David Schwimmer), still married to Carol (Jane Sibbett), enters into a ménage à trois with a very familiar third party. Also, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) hit it off despite the fact that Monica is overweight and still a virgin. And Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) carries out her fantasies with famous soap opera star Joey (Matt LeBlanc). ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Jane Sibbert, Jessica Hecht, (more)

- 1999
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To stir up new business for Buzz Beer, Lewis (Ryan Styles) and Oswald (Diedrich Bader) create a website (www.buybuzzbeer.com)--and are promptly arrested for unwittingly selling liquor to minors. In his efforts to help his friends during their court hearing, Drew (Drew Caerey) succeeds only in making things worse, inspiring the judge (Paul Gleason) to use Cleveland's new "anti-gang" law to force Drew and his friends to stay 100 feet away from one another--for the rest of their lives. After a futile effort to replace his pals with goldfish, Drew decides to risk a jail sentence by holding a birthday party for Kate, wherein he and his buddies will be cleverly disguised in "Wizard of Oz" costumes. Meanwhile, Mimi (Kathy Kinney) isn't amused when Steve (John Carroll Lynch) announces his plan to wear his mom's bridal gown at their wedding. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1997
- R
- Add A Time to Revenge to Queue
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When the father of an honest young rancher is mercilessly gunned down, the grieving son sets out to settle the score in this contemporary western that pits the power of greed against the passion of vigilante justice. Ken Olandt, Elizabeth Berkley, and Paul Gleason star in a western written and produced by Dale Gibson, and directed by John Harwood. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- 1997
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The decade-long friendship between Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) may be at an end when Cory thinks about attending a different college than Shawn. This leads to an extended flashback to the boys' childhood--which is somehow invaded by a young Topanga (played by Danielle Fishel lookalike Rosario Gru). Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) and Jack (Matthew Lawrence) are convinced that college life will be a breeze if only they can become close friends with Dean Borak (Paul Gleason). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1997
- R
- Add Money Talks to Queue
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A low-level criminal and a struggling newsman become unlikely partners in this comedy. Franklin Hatchett (Chris Tucker) is a fast-talking hustler who runs a small time ticket-scalping business. A TV news story by reporter James Russell (Charlie Sheen) brings Franklin's business to the attention of the police, and he finds himself under arrest. While being transported by police bus from one lock-up to another, Franklin is handcuffed to Raymond Villard (Gerard Ismael), a high-level jewel thief from Europe. Villard's henchmen stage a raid in which they explode the vehicle, killing most of the passengers (including two cops), but freeing their partner. Franklin is able to escape but learns that he's now wanted as a cop killer. Hoping to clear his name, Franklin approaches Russell with a deal -- if he'll hide him from the police and help him prove that he had nothing to do with the deadly explosion, he'll give the reporter an exclusive story, which could help Russell boost his sagging career. Money Talks also features Heather Locklear as Russell's fiancée Grace, and Paul Sorvino as Grace's father, who is quite impressed by Franklin's story that he's related to Vic Damone. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Chris Tucker, Charlie Sheen, (more)

- 1997
-
High schooler Shawn (Rider Strong) drops in on a college philosophy class and wins a debate with Professor Michaels (Julius Carry). His ego in high gear, Shawn begins thinking of himself as a college student--and in so doing neglects his high school duties to the point that he ends up suspended. And Dean Borak (Paul Gleason) wonders what Eric (Will Friedle) is up to when he creates his own fraternity, "Magnum Pi." Former Love Boat regulars Bernie Kopell and Ted Lange) appear as themselves in a surrealistic frat-party sequence. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1997
- R
Presidential advisor Bobby Bishop (Charlie Sheen) is hunted by an unknown assailant in this political thriller. With the help of Chief-of-Staff Jake Conrad (Donald Sutherland) and the newspaper journalist Amanda (Linda Hamilton), he uncovers an assassination plot to kill the President and his most trusted advisors. Bobby battles forces in the government he has sworn to uphold, as his every move is monitored by high-tech surveillance cameras. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, (more)

- 1995
- R
- Add Ten Benny to Queue
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This urban drama set in a working-class New Jersey suburb, chronicles the complex relationship between three young men, Ray, Mike and Butchie who have been lifelong friends. One day in the past, when they were children, the boys witnessed the public arrest of Ray's father for illicit gambling. Ray was traumatized and swore that he would never let such a thing happen to him. Now he is a hard-working shoe salesman who dreams of being a prominent businessman. He is planning to marry his childhood love, Joanne. Mike is a college student who works part-time in his father's bar. Butch is the troubled one. He works as a delivery boy and has little ambition. Despite Ray's dreams, he is irresponsible and to get more money borrows a large sum from the local mob loan shark, Donny. Unfortunately, he loses it in Atlantic City casinos. Meanwhile, after Mikes father suffers a heart attack, Mike and Joanne have sex. When Donny's thugs catch up with the three, they cruelly torture the youths until someone interrupts them. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
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- 1995
- R
Cyberpunk schlockmeister Phillip Roth directs this sci-fi action flick about cool explosions and bad cyborgs. When the army's latest brand of killer robots start killing the wrong people, a band of nubile coed soldiers get sent in to kick a little android keister. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
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- 1994
- R
- Add There Goes My Baby to Queue
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Similar to the premise of American Graffiti, this film centers on eight California high school students whose lives intersect over two nights in the hot summer of 1965. As the Watts riots begin, the young people make decisions that will impact their entire lives. Writer-director Floyd Mutrux examines at the graduating class of 1965 of Westwood High School in Los Angeles, which was featured on the cover of Look magazine in 1961. The story is narrated by the class valedictorian, Mary Beth (Lucy Deakins). Kelli Williams plays Sunshine, a prototypical flower child. Characters played by Dermot Mulroney and Rick Schroder and others struggle with decisions about the Vietnam war, aspire to be rock musicians, and take divergent paths on politics while navigating various romantic entanglements. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Dermot Mulroney, Rick Schroder, (more)

- 1994
- PG
- Add I Love Trouble to Queue
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In the style of the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, I Love Trouble depicts the developing romance of two rival reporters who reluctantly fall for each other while competing for a major scoop. Old hand Peter Brackett (Nick Nolte) and aspiring newcomer Sabrina Peterson (Julia Roberts) first meet when they are both assigned to cover a mysterious train crash. The pair immediately develops a connection despite their professional rivalry, and they decide to work together. Sensing something fishy about the crash, they look deeper and are soon fighting to expose a wide-ranging conspiracy, while also struggling to outmaneuver and out-charm each other along the way. Co-creators Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers, who previously found success harking back to 1940s comedy in Father of the Bride, borrow heavily from His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and other screwball classics. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Julia Roberts, Nick Nolte, (more)

- 1994
-
The silly spirit of Revenge of the Nerds lives on in this made-for-television sequel. Curtis Armstrong returns as Booger, and this time around the nerds are gathering for his wedding to a wealthy upper-class girl. As the nerds plan a wild bachelor party, the girl's father is busy hiring an investigator to look into Booger's past and hopefully stop the wedding. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi
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- 1993
- R
- Add Boiling Point to Queue
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The boiling point is mighty low in this tepid action programmer. Wesley Snipes plays Jimmy Mercer, a Treasury agent whose sting operation goes bad. Engineered by Ronnie (Viggo Mortensen), a dull-witted but sadistic ex-con, the operation not only fails, but one of Jimmy's colleagues is killed by Ronnie in the process. As punishment, Jimmy is exiled to Newark, where he is given seven days to find the man responsible for the death of the officer. Meanwhile, slimy con-man Red (Dennis Hopper) has Ronnie deceived into thinking that Mercer is a big-time crook with influential connections. Red does this to enlist Ronnie's aid to participate in a third-rate crime spree. When Ronnie and Red begin their two-man crime wave, Jimmy is in relentless pursuit behind them. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Wesley Snipes, Dennis Hopper, (more)

- 1993
- R
In Maniac Cop (1988), we were introduced to a disfigured psycho law enforcement officer. It wasn't enough that this revenge-driven fiend killed and mutilated his victims: he also kept their pelts and scalps as trophies. The part was play by Robert D'Zar in the first two Maniac Cop flicks; D'Zar is back for Badge of Silence: Maniac Cop 3, in which he continues his reign of terror, as the good cops endeavor to put an end to his activities. By way of a plot, a hush-hush conspiracy is thrown into the proceedings. The slash-and-gashfest was written by Larry (It's Alive!) Cohen, while the musical score was by no less than Jerry Goldsmith. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Robert Davi, Caitlin Dulany, (more)

- 1993
- PG13
- Add National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 to Queue
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The Lethal Weapon series and the rest of the buddy-cop genre receives the parody treatment in this low-brow comedy. Emilio Estevez stars as Jack Colt, the Mel Gibson-like loose cannon, while Samuel L. Jackson assumes the Danny Glover role as Wes Luger, his exasperated partner. Together, Colt and Luger investigate the murder of Luger's former partner (Whoopi Goldberg) and discover a criminal conspiracy led by the nefarious General Mortars (William Shatner). Hoping to mimic the success of the Naked Gun films, director Gene Quintano (of Police Academy 4 fame) loaded the film with broad visual gags, deadpan slapstick, and gratuitous parodies of The Silence of the Lambs, Basic Instinct, and other movies. The attempt to mimic successful parodies proved ineffective, however, as critics and viewers alike found the parody stale and the juvenile humor dreary. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Emilio Estevez, Samuel L. Jackson, (more)

- 1993
- R
How many films combine an environmentalist theme with rowdy cycle gang stuff? Not many, but this film does and it works. In Running Cool, two motorcycle guys help their friend save his wetlands wildlife property from being spoiled by an unscrupulous land developer. There's plenty of action as the heroes combat the developer's hired thugs and fall for some swinging motorcycle girls. ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Andrew Divoff, Bubba Baker, (more)

- 1992
- R
In this sex thriller, an Arizona town is threatened when a violent, twisted couple, Randall Murphy (Gary Hudson) and Maggie (Michelle Moffett), come to town seeking blood and thrills and meet up with a mild-mannered professional couple, who they take hostage and proceed to rape and torture. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
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- 1992
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A U.S. general confronts the struggle of her lifetime when she decides to run for president in this drama. ~ Rovi
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- 1992
-
Season Nine of Murder, She Wrote gets under way with an episode set at a Milan Film Festival, where Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) is attending the premiere of a movie based on one of her novels. The film's producer Catherine Wayne (Susan Blakely) is as well known for her string of box-office successes as she is for her shabby treatment of underlings; in fact, as the story begins, she is seen refusing to release an up-and-coming young director from his ultra-restrictive contract. Inevitably, Catherine is murdered, and Jessica is obliged to investigate the case. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1991
- R
A spoiled rich girl leaves her pop's protection and gets a job in an L.A. bar where she meets and falls for an unknown musician. She's out to prove to daddy, that she can cut it on her own. ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Jill Schoelen, Don Michael Paul, (more)

- 1991
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Nancy Landon (Vera Miles) swoops down on Cabot Cove with the announcement that her son Steve (Richard Gilliland) had been fathered by the late husband of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). With this in mind, Nancy insists that Jessica is obligated to help clear Steve fraud and murder charges related to the Landons' construction business. Though it pains her to do so, Jessica does what she can to prove Steve's innocence. Also in the cast is Martin Milner as Jessica's friend Clint Phelps, who may know more about the case than he's letting on. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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