So do y’all remember the character Inspector Todd from The Beverly Hill Cop movies? Well we’ve just learned that the actor who portrayed lead character Axel’s uptight boss, Gil Hill, passed away in February of 2016. The most shocking part about Mr. Hill is his life away from the big screen. Did you guys know that he was in law enforcement for years before he caught the acting bug? Keep reading to learn more about this amazing man and why he decided to step away from the spotlight. The reason may be a lil surprising.
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“ILOSM fam’ do you remember actor, Gill Hill, from Beverly Hills Cop movies? Or maybe you know him better as “Inspector Todd,” the temperamental boss of “Axel Foley” (Eddie Murphy), who had us crackin’ up in the movie because he had a low tolerance for BS and seemingly dropped F-bombs in every other sentence. Well we wanted to pay homage to the brotha’s legacy because unfortunately it wasn’t heavily covered in national mainstream news. Wait ’til you see what he also was in his REAL life…
Gil Hill a.k.a. “Inspector Todd” in Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit on February 29, 2016 from pneumonia, which he’d been admitted to the hospital for days earlier, on Feb. 17th. He was 84 years young. His wife, Delores Hooks, passed away just a year prior in 2015. His legacy wasn’t only in Beverly Hills Cop though, he had a very interesting career that garnered him media attention before and after his acting days>>>
Gil Hill was a highly acclaimed real life cop-turned detective-turned inspector, long before and after we saw him shouting at “Axel Foley” in “Beverly Hills Cop.” One of Gil’s former police co-workers said he was more mild mannered in real life, but when he was angry, he was EXACTLY like he was in the movies, LOL. That explains why he played the part so well! Gil Hill’s law enforcement career started in 1957 and although he was offered more acting roles after ‘Bev Cop’ he declined them and remained dedicated to his career where was already making national headlines of his own.
Gil was described as the the detective who was ‘capable of charming confessions out of the most notorious killers.’ Gil was eventually promoted to inspector and was officially in charge of Detroit’s homicide unit. BUT SEE WHY GIL SAID HIS DETECTIVE/POLICE CAREER CAME TO AN ABRUPT END & WHAT HE BECAME AFTERWARD>>>
After “Beverly Hills Cop” fame, Gil was still very active in his community and on his police/inspector job, but fame didn’t come without a price. In a past interview with Detroit Free Press, Gil revealed that he experienced “jealousy” from several co-workers, while his co-workers said he let “fame go to his head.” Gil ended up leaving the police force in 1985 and had his eye on another prize- he ran for Mayor of Detroit in 2001, but lost to now imprisoned former Detroit mayor, Kwame’ Kilpatrick.
Gil ultimately became a very well respected Council President, who at the time of his death, garnered nothing but complimentary memories and gratitude from the Detroit community and it’s leaders and officials.”
Aw. Mr. Gil may have died of a broken heart considering his wife of 50 plus years had just passed in 2015. It sounds like a true love story. But back to Beverly Hills Cop though. Be honest y’all. Who knew that Inspector Todd was actually a decorated police officer. It’s a shame that some of his co workers had to be so jealous of his new found success. He may have played in a couple of more movies. Then too, Mr. Hill was probably feeling himself (as Beyonce would say). He might have been a bit more difficult to work with at the station after his Hollywood experience. Who knows?
Either way Gil gave us some good chuckles throughout Beverly Hills Cop I and II. And it is just mind-blowing how well he enveloped the role and slayed it without any acting experience. Kudos to you sir, and rest in peace.
And now….you all are officially in the know.
