Frank Maxwell
- For the English architect known by a similar name see Frank Maxwell (architect)
Frank Maxwell | |
---|---|
Born |
Charles Francis Maxwell November 17, 1916 The Bronx, New York City New York, U,S. |
Died |
August 4, 2004 87) Santa Monica Los Angeles County California, U.S. | (aged
Cause of death | Heart disease |
Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Occupation | Actor, AFTRA Union president, 1984–1989 |
Years active | 1939–1995 as actor |
Spouse(s) |
Maxine Stuart (actress), 1949–1963 (divorced) Rita Lynn, 1966–1996, her death) |
Children | Daughter Chris Ann Maxwell (with Stuart) |
Frank Maxwell (November 17, 1916 – August 4, 2004) was an American actor who served as president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists from 1984 to 1989.[1][2][3][4][5]
Life and career
A native of The Bronx borough of New York City, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, he appeared in 151 films or television programs. Maxwell began his acting career on the Broadway stage, appearing in such notable plays as DEATH OF A SALESMAN (playing the role of Willy Loman's son, "Happy"), SOUTH PACIFIC (playing "Luther Billis," a role that went to Ray Walston in the film version, and STALAG 17. His first television acting roles were in 1950 in episodes of the Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse followed in 1951 by an appearance in the episode "The Overcoat" of the television series Big Town.
Maxwell subsequently appeared in such series as Decoy, with Beverly Garland, Peter Gunn (twice), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (five episodes), Whirlybirds, Black Saddle, The Man and the Challenge, The Deputy, Cain's Hundred, Follow the Sun, Hong Kong, The Asphalt Jungle, Target: The Corruptors, and Mr. Novak. He was cast three times each on Robert Montgomery Presents, Cannon, and Emergency! and four times each on Rawhide, Quincy, M.E., and The F.B.I.[6]
In 1960, Maxwell was cast in CBS's science fiction series, The Twilight Zone as Marty Fisher in the episode "A World of Difference". That same year, he appeared as Hackett in the episode "Millionaire Jessica March" of the CBS fantasy drama, The Millionaire.[6] In 1960 he made two guest appearances on Perry Mason: as Harry Wilson in "The Case of the Wayward Wife," and defendant Joe Dixon in "The Case of the Red Riding Boots." He made a third appearance in 1961 as Dr. Mooney in "The Case of the Injured Innocent."
In the 1962–1963 television season he was a co-star of the ABC sitcom, Our Man Higgins, starring Stanley Holloway in the title role and with Audrey Totter and Ricky Kelman. Maxwell played the father, Duncan MacRoberts, in all thirty-four episodes of the series.[6] He also appeared as a regular on the TV series "Felony Squad" with Howard Duff from 1966-68[6] and "The Second Hundred Years" with Monte Markham from 1967-68.[6]
From 1973 to 1975, he appeared in five episodes of CBS's Barnaby Jones, with Buddy Ebsen. In 1977, he appeared an in episode of ABC's The Feather and Father Gang. In 1984, he appeared in a two-part episode of ABC's The Love Boat, in which he was cast as Colonel Charles Holmsey.[6] His last regular acting role was as Dan Rooney, the lovable aging hospital administrator on General Hospital which he appeared on from 1978-1988. Over the years, the character had a hand in practically every storyline and was a major participant in the now famous "Ice Princess" storyline which dominated the daytime ratings in 1981.
References
- ↑ Frank Maxwell, Broadway, Film and TV Actor Who Led AFTRA and Equity, Dead at 87, By Kenneth Jones for Playbill, at Playbill.com, Aug 11, 2004, accessed November 8, 2012.
- ↑ Google Groups news reference (alt.obituaries), August 6, 2004
- ↑ OBITUARY: Frank Maxwell; 'General Hospital' character actor; 87 AP article for SignOnSanDiego.com, August 17, 2004, accessed November 8, 2012.
- ↑ Frank Maxwell, 87, TV Actor Who Served as Union President, The New York Times article, at NY.Times.com, August 16, 2004, accessed November 7, 2012.
- ↑ Frank Maxwell -- actor and union activist, article by Jon Thurber, Los Angeles Times for SFGate.com, Tuesday, August 10, 2004.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Frank Maxwell". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
Internet Broadway data base
External links
- Frank Maxwell at the Internet Broadway Database
- Frank Maxwell at Find a Grave
- Frank Maxwell at the Internet Movie Database