Actor and comedian Michael Winslow is known worldwide for his wacky role as officer Larvelle Jones in the "Police Academy" film series.
After winning the Gong Show's top honors twice, he made his film debut in "Cheech And Chongs Next Movie" followed by "Cheech And Chong's Nice Dreams". His movie career continued with featured roles in "Alphabet City" with Vincent Spano and "Grand View USA" starring Jamie Lee Curtis.
When "Police Academy" became a smash success, his celebrity status was all but assured. He then went on to play a part in Mel Brooks' "Spaceballs", a film that helped to further spotlight his unique style of comedy. He was also heard, but not seen, when he supplied the voice of Stripe, the evil little creature, in the hit movie "Gremlins".
Michael, a master of vocal gymnastics, can imitate over 1,000 sound effects using his voice alone. Whether he is recreating the frenzy of Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar, or the roar of a jet plane, his versatility is truly remarkable.
Born September 6, 1958 to Robert and Verdie Winslow in Spokane, Washington, on Fairchild Air Force Base Michael Winslow was the youngest of five brothers. His mother often tells stories about when he was a baby she would hear him imitate airplane noises, jet engines, anything that had sound living on base, there was always a lot going on.
"Growing up on an Air Force Base made it difficult to have friends, so I created imaginary friends, dogs, cats, trucks, anything that would keep me occupied for the moment," says Winslow.
After high school and a brief stint at college, Michael had his first professional performance at a club/theater in Boulder, Colorado named Tulagi's. This was very exciting for him because Jimmy Hendrix, The Doors, Tommy Bolin and other famous bands had played there.
He was an opening act for a group called "Nova", an Italian Rock Fusion Band. Through the grapevine he heard they were fans of Hendrix, so why not portray none other than Jimmy Hendrix. He had lots of props including his mother's afro wig he borrowed from her closet. He was quite nervous, but the audience responded to his rendition of "Purple Haze" with an applause he'll never forget. That moment he knew he wanted to be an entertainer.
Winslow then packed his bags and hitchhiked to Venice Beach where he would remain homeless for quite some time until finally in 1984 he got his big chance. Director Hugh Wilson and Producer Paul Maslanski came to see him perform at a Long Beach Theater where he was opening for the one and only Count Basie and his Orchestra. They were overwhelmed by his performance and so was he. They immediately wrote him into the script of the unforgettable "Police Academy 1". The movie was such a success it paved the way for other movies and commercials: "Spaceballs", "Cheech and Chong", "Gremlins", "Back to the Future 3", "Extra Large" and the list goes on.
Actor - Filmography
Police Academy (2007) (pre-production) - "Larvell Jones"
Coming Attractions (2006) (post-production) - "Coach Al Jefferson"
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) (VG) (voice) - "Pedestrian"
... aka GTA: San Andreas (International: English title: short title)
... aka San Andreas (International: English title: short title)
Lenny the Wonder Dog (2004) - Officer John Wyndham"
"The Daily Buzz"
- Episode dated 24 September 2004 (????) - TV Episode
The Biggest Fan (2002) - Officer number: 1
The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) - (voice)
He Outta Be Committed (2000) - Jeremy
Michael Winslow Live (1999) (V) - Michael Winslow
Lycanthrope (1999) - Lee Davis
... aka Bloody Moon (USA: promotional title)
The Blur of Insanity (1999) - Horner's Friend number 2
"Police Academy: The Series" (1997) Series - Sgt. Larvell Jones
- Drew Gets Married (1997) TV Episode - Jimi Hendrix
"Baywatch Nights"
... aka Detectives On the Beach
- 976 Ways to Say I Love You (1995) - TV Episode
Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994) - Sgt. Larvell Jones
... aka Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow (USA: alternative title)
Extralarge: Gonzales' Revenge (1993) (TV) - Dumas
Extralarge: Indians (1993) (TV) - Dumas
Extralarge: Lord of the Sun (1993) (TV) - Dumas
... aka Extralarge: Il signore del sole (Italy)
Extralarge: Ninja Shadow Extralarge: Ninja Shadow (1993) (TV) - Dumas
... aka Extralarge: L'ombra del guerriero (Italy)
Extralarge: Condor Mission (1993) (TV) - Dumas
... aka Extralarge: Operazione Condor (Italy)
Extralarge: Diamonds (1993) (TV) - Dumas
... aka Extralarge: Pioggia di diamanti (Italy)
"Harry and the Hendersons"
- Wild Things (1992) TV Episode - Chuck the Great
- Pet Psychic (1991) TV Episode - Chuck the Great
"Shades of LA"
- The Wrong Man (1990) TV Episode - Lewis Delgado
Far Out Man (1990) - Airport cop
... aka Soul Man II
Think Big (1990) - Hap
Going Under (1990) - Reporter
Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989) - Sgt. Larvell Jones
Buy & Cell (1989) - Sly
Zärtliche Chaoten II (1988) - Ronny
... aka Lovable Zanies II (International: English title)
... aka Three Crazy Jerks II (International: English title)
Starke Zeiten (1988)
Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988) - Sgt. Larvell Jones
Zärtliche Chaoten (1987) - Walker
... aka Lovable Zanies (International: English title: informal title)
... aka Three Crazy Jerks (UK)
Spaceballs (1987) - Radar Technician
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
(1987) .... Sgt. Larvell Jones
... aka Citizens on Patrol: Police Academy 4 (UK: poster title)
"The Love Boat"
- Happily Ever After/Have I Got a Job for You/Mr. Smith Goes to Minikulu (1986) - TV Episode
- My Stepmother, Myself/Almost Roommates/Cornerback Sneak (1986) TV Episode
- The Second Time Around/Hello, Spencer/Runaway, Go Home (1986) TV Episode
Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986) - Sgt. Larvell Jones
Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985) (voice)
Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) Officer Larvell Jones
Lovelines (1984) - J.D
... aka Sueños juveniles (USA: Spanish title: TV title)
Grandview, U.S.A. (1984) - Spencer
Gremlins (1984) (voice) - Mogwai and Gremlins
Police Academy (1984) - Cadet Larvell Jones
... aka Police Academy: What an Institution! (UK: video title)
Alphabet Cit (1984) - Lippy
Heidi's Song (1982) (voice) - Mountain
Tag: The Assassination Game (1982) - Gowdy
... aka Everybody Gets It in the End (USA)
... aka Kiss Me, Kill Me
... aka T.A.G.: The Assassination Game
Nice Dreams (1981) - Superman Nut
... aka Cheech & Chong's Nice Dreams (USA: complete title)
"The White Shadow"
- Psyched Out (1981) TV Episode - Student
"Space-Stars" (1981) TV Series - Plutem
Underground Aces (1981) - Nate
Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980) - Welfare Comedian
... aka High Encounters of the Ultimate Kind
Nightside (1980) (TV) - Redlight
Filmography as: Actor, Writer Writer, Producer, Himself
Writer - Filmography
Michael Winslow Live at the Improv (2006) (V)
Michael Winslow: Comedy Sound Slapdown! (2002) (V)
... aka The Michael Winslow Experience (USA)
Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Producer, Himself
Producer - Filmography
Lenny the Wonder Dog (2004) (executive producer)
Michael Winslow: Comedy Sound Slapdown! (2002) (V) (executive producer)
... aka The Michael Winslow Experience (USA)
Filmography as: Actor, Writer, Producer Producer, Himself
Himself - Filmography
(2000s )
Michael Winslow Live at the Improv (2006) (V) - Himself
"Ed"
- The Movie (2003) TV Episode - Himself
"Family Guy"
... aka Padre de familia (USA: Spanish title)
- Family Guy Viewer Mail Number 1 (2002) TV Episode (voice) .... Himself
Michael Winslow: Comedy Sound Slapdown! (2002) (V) - Himself
... aka The Michael Winslow Experience (USA)
"Reading Rainbow" "Reading Rainbow"
- Space Case Space Case (1986) TV Episode (voice) - Himself
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