G.W. Bailey

Known to fans the world over as Lieutenant Louie Provenza on the acclaimed series "The Closer" (TNT, 2005-2012) and its spin-off "Major Crimes" (TNT, 2012-), G. W. Bailey played wizened tough-guys for seemingly his entire career. Born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1944 and raised across the state in Lubbock, Bailey went prematurely gray during his 30s, lending him the ability to play roles considerably older than his actual age. He acted with the repertory cast of the Actor's Theatre of Louisville during the 1970s before making his screen debut in the TV movie "The Runaway Barge" (NBC, 1975) in 1975. Bailey soon began finding steady work on screen, making guest appearances on "Laverne & Shirley" (ABC, 1976-1983), "Soap" (CBS, 1977-1981), "Lou Grant" (CBS, 1977-1982), and "Happy Days" (ABC, 1974-1984) in 1979 alone. After taking on the recurring role of Sergeant Luther Rizzo on the hit series "M*A*S*H" (CBS, 1972-1983), Bailey co-starred on the second season of the medical drama "St. Elsewhere" (NBC, 1982-88) as Dr. Hugh Beale from 1982 to 1983. In 1984, Bailey signed on to appear in a the slapstick comedy "Police Academy" (1984). The comedy would prove to be a huge hit, and Bailey would reprise his role as Lt. Harris for five out of the movie's six sequels. After playing Big Jim on the sitcom "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" (ABC, 1995-97) from 1995 to 1997, Bailey spent a year as the artist-in-residence at his alma mater, Southwest Texas State University, from 1999 to 2000. In 2005, he was cast as Louie Provenza on "The Closer" and later on "Major Crimes."