Anecdotes

Broke his neck in six places falling from a ladder while working on a house. After extensive rehabilitation, he could walk a little with difficulty, but generally used a wheelchair.

Through his one man stage act, titled "The Accidental Comedy", he has been able to raise close to $300,000 for Project Support for Spinal Cord Injury to help buy crutches, wheelchairs and supplies for others with spinal injuries.

Appeared frequently on variety shows in the early 1970s as a magician performing absurd tricks (such as making his fingers "jump" from one hand to another) while constantly humming his inane theme song.

Best known to fans as Captain Mauser from the Police Academy movie series.

His surname at birth was Mesistrano, but was later changed by his father to Metrano.

Passed away two weeks before his 85th birthday.

Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

Owned a yogurt shop after he retired from acting.

Worked as a comic in the Catskills and studied acting with Stella Adler and John Cassavetes.

When performing his magic act on The Tonight Show (1970), he used the moniker 'The Amazing Metrano'.

Survived by his children Harry, Zoe, Roxanne, and Howard and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was a lifelong Democrat.

He was of Turkish Jewish and Greek Jewish descent.

Retired from acting until his death.

Son of a garment manufacturer and a housewife, he grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn.