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1-8 of 8
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Frank John Gorshin, Jr. was born on April 5, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was a railroad worker and his mother, Frances (Preseren), was a seamstress. His family was originally from Novo Mesto, Slovenia. While in high school, young Frank worked as an usher at the Sheridan Square Theatre and began doing impressions of some of his screen idols: Al Jolson, James Cagney, Cary Grant and Edward G. Robinson. At age 17, he won a local talent contest. The prize was a one-week engagement at Jackie Heller's Carousel nightclub, where Alan King was headlining. It was young Frank's first paid job as an entertainer and launched his show business career. Frank attended local Catholic schools and, later, Carnegie-Mellon Tech School of Drama. He acted in plays and performed in nightclubs in Pittsburgh in his spare time.
In 1953, at age 19, he was drafted into the United States Army and was posted in Germany. Frank served for two years, 1953-1955, as an entertainer attached to Special Services. In the Army, Frank met Maurice A. Bergman, who would introduce Frank to a Hollywood agent when his hitch with Uncle Sam was up. Frank quickly landed a role in The Proud and Profane (1956) and other roles in television dramas followed.
In 1957, while visiting his family in Pittsburgh, his agent phoned him to rush back to Hollywood for an audition for Run Silent Run Deep (1958). For some odd reason, instead of catching a plane, Frank decided to drive his car to Los Angeles. Driving 39 consecutive hours, he fell asleep at the wheel, crashed, suffered a fractured skull and woke up in the hospital four days later. To add insult to injury, a Los Angeles newspaper reported he was killed, and the plum movie role of Officer Ruby went to Don Rickles.
Frank appeared in a number of lovable B-movies for American-International Pictures: Hot Rod Girl (1956) and Dragstrip Girl (1957), and everybody's favorite, Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957). Frank finally got a substantial role in the A-movie, Bells Are Ringing (1960), with Dean Martin and Judy Holliday. He did a thinly-disguised Marlon Brando impression. he also appeared in Hollywood nightclubs, including the Purple Onion. He did Las Vegas engagements, opening for Bobby Darin at The Flamingo. On television, Frank appeared on The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1956) and had a dozen guest shots on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948).
In 1966, he gave his breakout performance, performing what has become his best-known role: The Riddler on Batman (1966), for which he received an Emmy nomination. He also played The Riddler in the movie, Batman: The Movie (1966), based on the television series. "I could feel the impact overnight", he recalled later. Because of his nationwide recognition, he was given headliner status in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, Sahara and Aladdin Hotels. He received more good reviews for his performance in Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (1969).
In 1970, Frank made his Broadway debut as the star of "Jimmy", for which he got rave reviews. He also starred in many touring company productions, such as "Promises, Promises", "Peter Pan", "Prisoner of Second Street" and "Guys and Dolls". In the 1980s, Frank served as Honorary Chairman, Entertainment Division, for the American Heart Association. Perhaps recalling his early AIP films, Frank worked with the legendary Roger Corman, appearing as Clockwise on the television series Black Scorpion (2001) and on Corman's The Phantom Eye (1999). He had appeared in over 70 movies and made over 40 guest appearances in television series.
Gorshin died at age 72 in Burbank, California on May 17, 2005. He had suffered from lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia.- Gianni Zullo was born in 1926 in Naples, Campania, Italy. He was an actor, known for Screw Loose (1999), Badmen of the West (1964) and Mani di velluto (1979). He died on 17 May 2005 in Pianello Val Tidone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
- Robert Bosley was born on 6 August 1962 in Campbell County, Kentucky, USA. He died on 17 May 2005 in Alexandria, Kentucky, USA.
- Jukka Kajava was born on 25 February 1943 in Oulu, Finland. He was a director, known for Taikalaatikko (1981), Pallo hallussa (1985) and Korvien välliin lissää (1977). He died on 17 May 2005 in Berlin, Germany.
- Actor
- Stunts
Gordy was born in 1992. He was an actor, known for Hallo Robbie! (2001) and 60 Minutes (1968). He died on 17 May 2005 in Rügen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.- Jean-Pierre Pincemin was born on 7 April 1944 in Paris, France. He was an actor, known for C'est de l'art (1993). He died on 17 May 2005 in Arcueil, Val-de-Marne, France.
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Keith Miller was born on 15 April 1947 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK. He was a composer, known for Double Take (1972), A Fear of Silence (1990) and The Scarf (2014). He was married to Sharon ?. He died on 17 May 2005 in England, UK.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Jarmo Porola was born on 29 March 1943 in Lapua, Finland. He was a producer and director, known for Iltatähti (1973), Ohimennen - nuorten nonstop (1965) and Ole! Rento retki etelän maille (1968). He was married to Kristina Valkeasuo. He died on 17 May 2005 in Spain.