An American character actor with a knack for playing pompous authority figures, Paul Gleason was born in Jersey City. He became instantly recognizable as Richard Vernon, the exasperated vice principal of 'The Breakfast Club' (1985), and as the officious Deputy Chief Dwayne Robinson in 'Die Hard' (1988). Across decades of film and television he specialized in blustering bureaucrats, smug executives and hard-nosed cops. A dependable supporting player rather than a star, he brought a blunt, brassy energy to every part before his death in 2006, leaving a gallery of memorable jerks-in-charge. Read more