G.w. Bailey
About
Biography
Biography
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."
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1968
Left college to become artistic director at the Lubbock (Texas) Theater Center
1975
Moved to California, made TV movie debut in "The Runaway Barge" (NBC)
1979
Feature debut, "A Force of One"
1979
Took on the recurring role of Sergeant Luther Rizzo on the series "M*A*S*H."
1981
First leading role in a TV-movie, as police captain in "Hardcase" (NBC)
1982
Took on the role of Dr. Hugh Beale for the second season of the medical drama "St. Elsewhere."
1984
Made his first of several appearances as Lt. Harris in the "Police Academy" franchise.
1986
Played Skroeder in the comedy "Short Circuit."
1987
Appeared in the movie "Mannequin."
1992
Returned to Southwest Texas State University (worked as artist-in-residence after 1996 graduation)
1996
Cast as father "Big Jim" on sitcom "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" (NBC)
1996
Took on the role of Big Jim on the sitcom "The Jeff Foxworthy Show."
2001
Had one of the leads in the Off-Broadway musical "Roadside"
2005
Began portraying Lieutenant Louie Provenza on the crime procedural "The Closer."
2012
Continued his role as Louie Provenza on the "The Closer" spin-off "Major Crimes."
Family
