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1-11 of 11
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Frank Nelson was a versatile character talent who had one of those instantly identifiable faces which could made you laugh as soon as you saw him, then he would open his mouth and you would start laughing all over again! The short statured comedic veteran with his trademark trimmed mustache and patented vocal catchphrase ("Eeeeee-yeeeeeeesss?") went on to tickle the audience funny bone on film, TV, radio and in voiceovers for over six decades. These distinct mannerisms and personality quirks would often be parodied on TV and in animated features. Seen here, there and everywhere, especially in the 50s and 60s TV, Frank usually playing a sardonic, pop-eyed, hot-tempered foil to the likes of TV's top comedic crème de la crème like Jack Benny and Lucille Ball.
Born Frank Brandon Nelson on May 6, 1911, he would start on Denver radio as an announcer at age 15. At age 18, Nelson decided to try his luck in Hollywood and found immediate work in local radio dramatic shows, usually playing the leading man! His first popular effort that reached a national market was in 1932 with the sitcom radio program "Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel" which starred Groucho Marx and Chico Marx. Other "leading man" vocals included "The Three Musketeers" and "Calling All Cars."
In 1936, Frank entered films playing uncredited announcer parts in such films as in Fugitive in the Sky (1936), Black Legion (1937), Hold 'Em Navy (1937), International Crime (1938) and Gang Bullets (1938), however little came from it and he kept his focus on war-time radio. After scores and scores of radio voices, Frank's malleable mug finally earned "second banana" popularity as the put-upon foil to Jack Benny on Benny's highly popular radio show. Nelson first started working on the show years earlier in the late 1930's but eventually was given a regular role playing various flustered or disdainful customer service types. He provided a wide range of vocals on the finest radio shows of the day such as "The Great Gildersleeve," "Burns and Allen Show," ''Fibber McGee and Molly," "The Bing Crosby Show," "The Eddie Cantor Show," "The Bob Hope Show" and "Abbott and Costello," each and every one making jolly use of his droll, squealing voice and "slow burn" comic takes. He could be a standout in even the tiniest of servile/professional roles
Despite obvious talents in dramatic fare, on camera, Frank would be best known for his comic support. Often appearing as a fastidious clerk, agent, boss, neighbor or, of course, announcer), post WWII films would include Down Memory Lane (1949), The Milkman (1950), You Never Can Tell (1951), Bonzo Goes to College (1952), Remains to Be Seen (1953), It Should Happen to You (1954) and Kiss Them for Me (1957). In 1949, he appeared in the short film So You Want to Get Rich Quick (1949) and added his special brand of hilarity to several others in the Joe McDoakes "So You Want to..." comedy series starring George O'Hanlon.
A charter member of AFRA (American Federation of Radio Artists) in 1937 (before it became AFTRA (AmericanFederation of Radio and Television Artists), Frank served as AFTRA's president from 1954 to 1957 and was a guiding force in securing decent pension plans for actors. Frank tackled many sitcoms in his time, which culminated in his fifteen-year stay as a regular on The Jack Benny Program (1950) and as a returning guest artist year after year on I Love Lucy (1951). He also amusingly appeared as several different characters on several episodes of Our Miss Brooks (1952), The Danny Thomas Show (1953) and Sanford and Son (1972). Moreover, for the first few years of I Love Lucy (1951), he appeared in various beleaguered roles, but towards the end of the series' run, Frank and another prominent voice from radio's "Golden Age," Mary Jane Croft, were hired for recurring roles as the Ricardo's Connecticut neighbors, Frank and Betty Ramsey. He also guested on such popular comedy shows as "Blondie," "Private Secretary," "The Real McCoys," "Pete and Gladys," "The Lucy Show," "The Addams Family," "Petticoat Junction" and "Alice."
As for vocal animation, Frank offered various voices for such 60's cartoons as "Mr. Magoo," but was best utilized by the Hanna-Barbera team, notably The Flintstones (1960) and The Jetsons (1962). He also provided the voice of "Uncle Dudley" in the 70's Dinky Dog (1978) animated series, while adding brief vocal flavor to such cartoons as "Calvin and the Colonel," "Bozo the Clown," "The Smurfs" and "Garfield and Friends." Towards the end of his life, Frank's voice appeared frequently on the 80's animated series Snorks (1984)
The veteran voice's well-known catchphrase was utilized in McDonald's commercials during the 1980s. Frank married twice -- to character actresses, Mary Lansing (whom he met on radio and bore him two children), and then Veola Vonn, who also appeared on Lucy's sitcom. Diagnosed with cancer during the late summer of 1985, Frank died a year later in Los Angeles on September 12, 1986, at age 75. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.- Luisa-María Linares was born on 7 September 1915 in Madrid, Madrid, Spain. She was a writer, known for Barbablù (1941), Socios para la aventura (1958) and The Killer Wore Gloves (1974). She was married to Antonio Carbo y Ortiz-Repiso. She died on 12 September 1986 in Estoril, Portugal.
- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
Jacques Henri Lartigue was born on 13 June 1894 in Courbevoie, Seine [now Hauts-de-Seine], France. He was an actor, known for Ginger & Fred (1986), Passé sous silence (2000) and Antenne 2 Midi (1979). He was married to Florette Orméa, Marcelle "Coco" Paolucci and Madeleine "Bibi" Messager. He died on 12 September 1986 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France.- István Hermann was born on 10 October 1925 in Budapest, Hungary. He was an actor, known for Egy kis hely a nap alatt (1973). He was married to Ágnes Heller. He died on 12 September 1986 in Budapest, Hungary.
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Director
- Writer
Ernst Haas was born on 2 March 1921 in Vienna, Austria. He was a director and writer, known for Quest for Fire (1981), The Believers (1987) and Heaven's Gate (1980). He died on 12 September 1986 in New York City, New York, USA.- Sharon Brady was born on 14 December 1945 in Westfield, New Jersey, USA. She died on 12 September 1986 in Marietta, Georgia, USA.
- Stefano Tosi was an actor, known for Scusate il ritardo (1983) and Traffico d'armi nel Golfo (1977). He died on 12 September 1986 in Italy.
- Mark Hawley was born on 17 February 1910 in Essex, New Jersey, USA. He died on 12 September 1986 in Riverside County, California, USA.
- Music Department
Dave Bacal was born on 12 December 1908 in New York City, New York, USA. He is known for The Jack LaLanne Show (1951) and The All New Truth or Consequences (1950). He died on 12 September 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Annibale Ruccello was born on 7 February 1956 in Castellammare di Stabia, Campania, Italy. He was a writer, known for Ferdinando, uomo d'amore (1990) and Le cinque rose di Jennifer (1989). He died on 12 September 1986 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
- Mamang Quizon was an actress, known for John and Marsha sa Amerika (Part Two) (1975). She died on 12 September 1986.