Another Point of Singularity

John Vernon just died. He was a great character actor, who played his share of villains, to be sure. Once you get past Dean Wormer, you find him in all sorts of stuff-- comedies, adventure stories, mysteries and whatnot. His career went back a long way.

I liked the way he could always play a villain that had a conscience (when the script called for it)... such as his role as the turncoat Confederate captain hunting down his own men in THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES.

A complex character. He will be missed.

THE STORY:

John Vernon played dean in 'Animal House' film


The Washington Post
February 4, 2005


John Vernon, a stage-trained actor who played a series of slimy villains and authority figures, never so well as in "National Lampoon's Animal House," in which he was the evil college dean, died Feb. 1 at his home in Los Angeles of complications from heart surgery. He was 72.

Vernon had more than a passing resemblance to Richard Burton and played rugged figures in dozens of films and television shows.

With sinister good looks and a surprising vulnerability, he was cast in such gritty fare as "Point Blank" (1967), "Dirty Harry" (1971), "Topaz" (1969) and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976).

As Dean Vernon Wormer in "Animal House" (1978), he was the antithesis of a good time. He ignores his alcoholic wife, cuddles up to the repulsive mayor and disdains the fun-loving students.

He declares war against the worst fraternity on campus, led by John Belushi and Tim Matheson.

Vernon reprised Wormer for the short-lived ABC television spinoff "Delta House" (1979) and appeared in several spoofs. He was a psychiatrist in "Airplane II: The Sequel" (1982), Police Chief Ferret in "Fraternity Vacation" (1985) and the underworld figure Mr. Big in "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" (1988).