John Vernon

 Adolphus Raymondus Vernon Agopsowicz (John Vernon) was a prolific stage-trained Canadian character player who made a career out of convincingly playing crafty villains, morally-bankrupt officials and heartless authority figures in films and television since the 1960s.

After training at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (alongside Peter O'Toole, Albert Finney, and Alan Bates).and honing his skills in Canadian theatre and television, Vernon made his US film debut in John Boorman's noir/gangster classic "Point Blank" (1967) as a trusted friend who betrays Lee Marvin. He again failed to inspire confidence as the ineffectual mayor of San Francisco in "Dirty Harry" (1971).

Vernon may be best remembered as the sinister Dean Vernon Wormer in John Landis' "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978, below), Jack Webb turned down the role of Dean Wormer, feeling the movie would be bad for his image.

The 2003 "Double Secret Probation Edition" DVD included a short film, "Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update," a mockumentary purporting that the original film had been a documentary and Landis was catching up with some of the cast (played by their original actors). It was never shown theatrically. Wormer is seen at a nursing home in Florida, under the watchful eye of a male nurse. He appears to be senile, not recognizing Landis at first (calling him "Larry"), and not remembering his tenure as Dean of Faber. When Landis mentions the Deltas, Wormer erupts into a violent, profanity-laced tirade against the boys who cost him his job. He lashes out against the nurse and then physically attacks Landis, knocking out the camera in the process.

Vernon would reprise the role for the TV spin-off "Delta House" the next year.

In addition, Vernon did extensive voice work. He voiced the Prosecutor on the animated film "Heavy Metal" (1981). He worked on such animated TV series as "The Marvel Super Heroes" portraying Tony Stark/Iron Man and Sub-Mariner among others.