George William "G.W." Bailey is an American stage, television and film actor. Although he appeared in many dramatic roles, he may be best remembered for his "crusty" comedic characters such as Staff Sergeant Luther Rizzo in M*A*S*H; Lieutenant—and later, Captain Thaddeus H...
George W. Bailey , George William Bailey , George William "G.W." Bailey , G.W. Bailey , G.W.
Nominations
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Movies
Police Academy, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach, Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, Mannequin, Short Circuit, Rustlers' Rhapsody, Home on the Range, Burglar, Write To Kill, Runaway, Cake: A Wedding Story, The Perfect ...
TV Shows
The Closer, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Major Crimes, Goodnight, Beantown, Under Cover
Star Sign
Virgo
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Quote
1
Unless you're a big movie star, regular television work is going to bring you more exposure than anything. Everybody has a television; not everybody goes to the movies.
2
I'm from Port Arthur, Texas! Little guy! Little character guy from one of the saddest oil-refinery towns in America. And here I was driving over to Beverly Hills, to 20th Century Fox, to be on 'M*A*S*H!'
3
Do I enjoy features? Yeah, I really do. Would I like to do some more features before I head to the barn? Yeah, probably. But I also love television. I love doing television because it's fast, and that I like a lot.
4
I don't belong to any country clubs. I don't have this big circle of friends. Where I make my friends is where I work.
5
(On his role in The Closer (2005)) This is best job I've ever had. I think a lot of it has to do with this time in my life, you know. I've gotten older. I've squandered all the other money I've made. So it's nice at this point in my life to have a part like this, that's so well-written. And I love the cast. It's a joyful place to work, it really is. We have our moments, 'cause we're like a family. But overall, it's a great gig to have. And I love the character. I mean, there are other things I've done that I've really liked, but I think a lot of it has to do-it always has to do-with the character. It always has to do with the writing. You want to make a lot of money, but if the writing is bad, it doesn't matter, you know?
6
(On being remembered as Captain Thaddeus Harris in the Police Academy movies) So much for ten years of education, years of training in Shakespeare... being remembered for a dog peeing in your eye!
There is disagreement amongst fans as to whether or not G.W. Bailey appears in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985). It is rumored that G.W. filmed a small uncredited cameo as the man shown from behind while being photographed during the wedding reception, but this has never been verified officially in any published interview to date.
3
Longtime friends with fellow Texan (and occasional co-star over the years) Barry Corbin, whom Bailey credits with talking him out of studying law and into pursuing acting while the two were both students at Texas Tech University.
4
After the departure of Gary Burghoff and his character Walter "Radar" O'Reilly from M*A*S*H (1972), the producers planned to have Bailey's character Luther Rizzo take over as company clerk. However, Alan Alda was able to convince the producers to have Klinger (Jamie Farr) take the role instead.
5
Along with Janis Joplin, one of Bailey's other high school classmates was future head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson.
6
Has a plaque on the West Texas Hall of Fame which adorns the base at the feet of a statue of rock-n-roll legend Buddy Holly in Lubbock, Texas. The plaques commemorate all musicians and actors from Texas.
Originally studied law at Texas Tech University, but ultimately decided to become an actor instead.
9
Began his theatrical career as the artistic director of the Lubbock Theater Center.
10
Is the Executive Director and former Board Member of the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which provides trips and activities for hundreds of young cancer patients annually.
11
Is a member in repertory of the Actor's Theatre of Louisville in the 1970s with Michael Gross, Tom Atkins, Victor Jory and many others who went on to further fame.
12
Attended Thomas Jefferson High School (in Port Arthur, Texas) with Janis Joplin.
13
For the 1999-2000 school year, he is the Artist-in-Residence for Southwest Texas State University.
$8 Million
