Frank Albertson
Birth nameFrancis Healey Albertson
Birth dateFebruary 2, 1909
Birth placeFergus Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Death dateFebruary 29, 1964 (aged 55)
Death placeSanta Monica, California, U.S.
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California
OccupationActor
Years active1923–1964

Francis Healey Albertson (February 2, 1909 – February 29, 1964)[1] was an American actor who had supporting roles in films such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Psycho (1960).

Early life

Albertson was a native of Fergus Falls, Minnesota,[2] the first child of Frank (or Francis) B. and Mary ( Healey) Albertson. He spent his childhood first in nearby Frazee,[3] and later in Puyallup, Washington.[4] As a young man in Los Angeles, he worked as a laboratory assistant in a photographic shop, which resulted in contacts leading to his acting career.[5]

Career

Albertson made well over 100 appearances (1923–1964) in movies and television. In his early career he often sang and danced in such films as Just Imagine (1930) and A Connecticut Yankee (1931). He was featured in Alice Adams (1935) as the title character's brother, and as playwright Leo Davis in Room Service (1938) opposite the Marx Brothers. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit making training films during World War II. As he aged, he moved from featured roles to supporting and character parts. He can be seen as Sam Wainwright, the businessman fond of saying "Hee-Haw" in the movie It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

On October 10, 1950, Albertson starred in "Give and Take" on Armstrong Circle Theatre.[6] He portrayed future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt in the 1956 episode "Rough Rider" of the television series My Friend Flicka. He guest-starred in the western series The Californians and twice in the crime drama Richard Diamond, Private Detective.

In Psycho (1960), Albertson portrayed Tom Cassidy, the wealthy client who flirts with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and provides the $40,000 in cash she later absconds with. In the 1960-61 television season, Albertson played the character Mr. Cooper in five episodes of the sitcom Bringing Up Buddy, starring Frank Aletter. In 1962, he appeared as Henry Bildy on the TV western Lawman in the episode titled "Heritage of Hate".

In 1964, Albertson was cast as Jim O'Neal in the episode "The Death of a Teacher" of drama Mr. Novak. One of his latter screen appearances was as Sam, the bewildered mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio in the 1963 film musical Bye Bye Birdie.

Albertson's final acting appearance was on The Andy Griffith Show, in which he played a Marine commander completing an inspection. The episode aired on May 19, 1964, three months after his death.

Death

Albertson died in his sleep at his home in Santa Monica, California, on Leap Day--Saturday, February 29, 1964--aged 55. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack. He had five children[note 1][7] from his two marriages.[5] He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.[8]

Recognition

For his contributions to the film industry, Albertson received a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6754 Hollywood Boulevard. The star was dedicated on February 8, 1960.[9]

Filmography

Selected television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1958Alfred Hitchcock PresentsRegisSeason 3 Episode 27: "Disappearing Trick"
1959Alfred Hitchcock PresentsSergeant KirbySeason 4 Episode 16: "Out There – Darkness"
1959Peter GunnCapt. ClarkSeason 2 Episode 8 "Kidnap"
1959Wanted Dead or AliveGeorge ElkinsSeason 2 Episode 9 "The Tyrant"
1960Wanted Dead or AliveSheriff Mike StrataSeason 3, Episode 8 "To the Victor"
1960Leave It to BeaverMr. GannonSeason 3 Episode 17 "Wally's Test"
1961Bringing Up BuddyMr. CooperRecurring role, 6 episodes
1961The Tom Ewell ShowAl GallagherSeason 1, Episode 24 "The Prying Eye"
1961Alfred Hitchcock PresentsGeorge WyncliffSeason 6 Episode 30: "You Can't Trust a Man"
1963The Alfred Hitchcock HourConstable Tom BattermanSeason 1, Episode 28: "Last Seen Wearing Blue Jeans"
1963BonanzaSam WalkerSeason 5, Episode 2 "A Passion for Justuce"
1964Mr. NovakJim O'NealSeason 1, Episode 20 "The Death of a Teacher"
1964The Andy Griffith ShowColonel WatsonSeason 4 Episode 32 "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."

Notes

  1. ^ Albertson's obituary in The New York Times lists four children ("two sons, Frank Jr. and Tony, and two daughters, Mrs. Gretchen Olberg and Juliet Albertson") as survivors, along with his wife.

References

  1. ^ "Frank Albertson". Almanac of Famous People. Gale. 2011. ISSN 1040-127X. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  2. ^ Mayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. ISBN 9781476627199. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  3. ^ 1910 United States Census; Census Place: Frazee, Becker, Minnesota; Roll: T624_689; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0003; Image: 728; FHL Number: 1374702.
  4. ^ 1920 United States Census;Census Place: Puyallup, Pierce, Washington; Roll: T625_1937; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 226; Image: 1048.
  5. ^ Pasadena Star-News, March 3, 1964, p. 16
  6. ^ "Air Attractions". The Boston Globe. October 10, 1950. p. 19. Retrieved April 29, 2021. – via Newspapers.com
  7. ^ "Frank Albertson Is Dead at 55". The New York Times. March 4, 1964. Archived 29 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  8. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 158. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Frank Albertson". walkoffame.com. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Archived 29 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 June 2017.