Funeral services were pending today for actor Paul Napier, who portrayed the original Mr. Goodwrench in General Motors television commercials and helped establish the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Napier died Saturday at age 84, according to SAG-AFTRA.
“Paul’s successful acting career is just one facet of a deeply engaged and engaging person,” SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard said. “Whether it was dedication to coaching youth sports, serving fellow union members or helping to create our highly respected awards show, everything Paul touched was better for his involvement. He gave so much to SAG-AFTRA and to his fellow members.”
Napier began his career as a radio announcer in Rochester, New York, but moved to California in 1960. He appeared in more than 400 commercials — most notably his 1977 selection as the original Mr. Goodwrench.
He also made guest appearances on television shows such as “Kojak,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Dynasty,” “Taxi,” “Knots Landing,” “Falcon Crest” and “L.A. Law.”
He began working on behalf of SAG in 1979 and helped negotiate national contracts more than two dozen times, according to the union. He was elected to the union’s national board in 1986. In 2010, he was awarded the Ralph Morgan Award, the highest honor presented by the union’s Hollywood branch.
