Paul Gleason, 67, 'Breakfast Club' Actor, Is Dead

BURBANK, Calif., May 28 (AP) - Paul Gleason, who played the go-to bad guy in "Trading Places" and the angry high school principal in "The Breakfast Club," died here on Saturday. He was 67.

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Paul Gleason

The cause was mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer linked to asbestos, said his wife, Susan Gleason.

A native of Miami, Mr. Gleason was an avid athlete. In the late 1950's, before becoming an actor, he played minor league baseball for a handful of clubs at the Triple A level.

Mr. Gleason honed his acting skills with his mentor, Lee Strasberg, with whom he studied at the Actors Studio beginning in the mid-1960's, family members said.

He appeared in more than 60 movies, including "Die Hard," "Johnny Be Good" and "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." His "Breakfast Club" role in 1985 was memorable enough that 16 years later he was able to lampoon it in "Not Another Teen Movie."

Mr. Gleason also made numerous television appearances, with his credits including "Friends" and "Seinfeld."

His passions, however, went beyond acting. He had recently published a book of poetry.

Mr. Gleason is survived by his wife, two daughters and a granddaughter.