Sad news: Hightower from Police Academy – AKA Bubba Smith – is found dead in his Los Angeles home yesterday.

The actor made famous for his role as Moses Hightower in the Police Academy films, Charles “Bubba” Smith, was found dead in his Los Angeles home yesterday.

Charles initially found success as an American football player playing for the Baltimore Colts. In the 1970s he switched to acting and appeared in the 1984 film Police Academy, after which he found international fame.

Bubba went on to appear in seven of the eight Police Academy films and was famed for his humbled attitude and softly spoken voice, which seemed surprising given his 6ft 7in frame.

Charles was 66 years old when he passed away.