Of the many things Police Academy gave us - and the list is not short - not least of which was allowing Bubba Smith to show his super-human strength and acting chops as Sgt Hightower. Not unlike how Bon Jovi eventually became a respected classic rock act just by sticking around, Mr. Smith went from fifth banana to leading man once Steve Guttenberg turned his attention to Cocoon sequels.
Only when Bubba Smith left the series, before the timely Part VII - Mission to Moscow, did the franchise finally die on the vine.
Good night, sweet prince.
