Bio
G.W. Bailey is an American actor best known for his "crusty" comedic characters such as Captain Thaddeus Harris in Police Academy (1984-1994) and Staff Sergeant Luther Rizzo in the television drama series M*A*S*H (1972-1983).
He also stars as Det. Lt. Provenza on the police procedural television series The Closer and its spin-off Major Crimes.
A native Texan, he began his training at Texas Tech University and started his professional career at the prestigious Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky.
Bailey later moved to Los Angeles, where he started his television career in a string of guest-starring roles on episodic series, in addition to continuing his stage work.
Among his series credits are M*A*S*H, The Jeff Foxworthy Show and St. Elsewhere. Bailey also starred in several TV movies, such as the award-winning Double Crossed and The Siege at Ruby Ridge.
Bailey's feature career began with the film Police Academy and flourished with starring roles in such movies as Mannequin, Short Circuit, Burglar and Rustler's Rhapsody, among others.
He returned to academia in the mid 1990s and graduated from Texas State University in 1994. Bailey served as artist-in-residence for several years, working occasionally in Hollywood and on the stage in New York.
Bailey's many interests include his work with The Sunshine Kids Foundation, where he is executive director. Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organisation dedicated to children with cancer.
Established in 1982, the foundation is committed to providing positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients.