Peter Van Norden, a familiar face in numerous film and television productions, has passed away at the age of 75.

His son, Robert, confirmed the actor's death on Instagram, stating that Van Norden died on Thursday in California.

This news marks the end of a prolific career for an actor who brought a distinctive presence to a wide range of projects.

Born in New York, Van Norden began his acting journey on the stage after graduating from Colgate University.

He appeared in plays such as “Measure for Measure,” “A Country Scandal,” and “Romeo and Juliet.” His transition to screen acting began in 1979 with “Squeeze Play.”

Throughout his career, Van Norden became known for his character work.

In the 1987 film “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment,” he played the memorable role of Vinnie Schtulman, a police dog officer partnered with Steve Guttenberg's Officer Mahoney.

He also took on the role of Attorney Paulsen in the intense drama “The Accused,” which starred Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis.

On television, Van Norden was a frequent guest star during the 1980s, appearing in popular series like “Cheers,” “St.

Elsewhere,” “T.J.

Hooker,” “Malibu,” “Silver Spoons,” “Family Ties,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” A significant role came in the 1994 Stephen King mini-series “The Stand,” where he portrayed Ralph Brentner, a farmer who joins a group traveling West to escape a weaponized virus.

He also played Henry Kissinger in the 1990s series “Dark Skies” and made appearances in “Tales From the Crypt,” “Nash Bridges,” and “Family Matters.”

Later in his career, Van Norden continued to work in television, with roles in series such as “9-1-1,” “Without a Trace,” “Days of Our Lives,” “ER,” and “The Invisible Man.” He also remained active in theater, performing with various companies.

Peter Van Norden is survived by his wife, Wendy, and his son, Robert.