Eugene Robert Glazer has always brought a certain intensity to his roles, and that’s probably why so many people remember him as the no-nonsense Operations in Section One from the American spy series La Femme Nikita. That show, of course, was based on Luc Besson’s original French action film and later inspired the U.S. remake Point of No Return, directed by John Badham and starring Bridget Fonda. But long before fans came to know Eugene Robert Glazer in that role—or even his appearances in key episodes during the second season of 24—he had already built a solid reputation across decades of television and film.

Over the years, Eugene Robert Glazer popped up in all kinds of shows, showing off his range. You might’ve spotted him on Charlie’s Angels, where he shared screen time with some of the most iconic female leads of the era. Or maybe you saw him in the gritty, groundbreaking police drama Hill Street Blues, or even in the long-running soap General Hospital. And if you were into more rugged fare, there’s a good chance you caught him in Walker, Texas Ranger, adding that signature tension only Eugene Robert Glazer could bring.

It wasn’t just TV, either. His presence—especially that piercing stare—caught the attention of some big names in comedy. Directors like Eddie Murphy and Robert Townsend seemed to appreciate the contrast he offered, casting Eugene Robert Glazer in films like Harlem Nights, Hollywood Shuffle, and the musical drama The Five Heartbeats. There’s something almost ironic about it, really—this intense, dramatic actor becoming a bit of a cult favorite in comedies. Maybe it started back in 1979 with Parts: The Clonus Horror, a sci-fi flick so famously odd it ended up on Mystery Science Theater 3000. That role might’ve added to his unexpected charm. But one thing’s for sure: Eugene Robert Glazer left a mark, whether he was playing a deadly operative or stealing scenes in an indie comedy.