John Vernon, 72, Actor Known as the Dean in 'Animal House,' Dies (Published 2005) (2024)

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 - John Vernon, a stage-trained character actor who played cunning villains in film and television and made his comedy mark in "National Lampoon's Animal House," died on Tuesday at his home here. He was 72.

His death followed complications of heart surgery in January, said his daughter Kate, an actress.

Movie fans know Mr. Vernon best for his performance in "Animal House" as Dean Wormer, who is bent on expelling the hard-partying Delta fraternity. The movie, starring John Belushi and Tim Matheson, is one of the most popular screen comedies.

Mr. Vernon was born in 1932 in Saskatchewan. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and did repertory work in England. He returned to Canada and had the starring role in the 1960's TV drama "Wojeck," playing a coroner.

After appearing on Broadway in "Royal Hunt of the Sun," he made his United States film debut in the director John Boorman's "Point Blank" (1967), as a turncoat tossed to his death by Lee Marvin. He went on to work with other celebrated filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchco*ck ("Topaz," 1969); Don Siegel ("Dirty Harry," 1971), and Clint Eastwood ("The Outlaw Josey Wales," 1976).

His deep, menacing voice was made for the bad guys he played.

He reprised his "Animal House" role in the TV spinoff "Delta House" (1979). Comedy film roles followed, including Mr. Big in "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" in 1988.

Mr. Vernon's marriage to Nancy West ended in divorce. In addition to his daughter Kate, he is survived by another daughter, Nan, also an actress, and a son, Chris, all of Los Angeles; two stepsons, Grant West of Toronto and Jim West of Vancouver; and a granddaughter.