Ben Frank

{{Short description|American actor (1934–1990)}}

{{distinguish|text=the American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin}}

{{for|the Indian cricketer|Benjamin Frank}}

{{Infobox person

| image =

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| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|9|2}}

| birth_place = New York City, New York, United States

| death_date = {{death date and age|1990|9|11|1934|9|2}}

| death_place =

| yearsactive =

| spouse = Bobbi Frank

}}

Ben Frank (September 2, 1934 – September 11, 1990) was a veteran character actor. His wife was producer Bobbi Frank.Los Angeles Times September 17, 1990 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-17-mn-519-story.html Ben Frank, 56; TV, Film and Stage Actor]

Biography

Frank was born in New York on September 2, 1934. As a child from the ages of 6 to 12 he sang on stage. In later years he was a professional boxer and had only two losses from twenty bouts.Los Angeles Times September 17, 1990 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-17-mn-519-story.html Ben Frank, 56; TV, Film and Stage Actor]

Career

His career spanned 28 years. He appeared in 20 motion movies and had 125 television roles. He also appeared in 20 stage plays, including the then renowned West Hollywood Gallery Theatre’s 1971 production of “King of the Schnorrers” where he created the re-written role of Yankela. Los Angeles Times September 17, 1990 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-17-mn-519-story.html Ben Frank, 56; TV, Film and Stage Actor] His first role was in 1963, in the horror movie Terrified where he played the part of Duell. Other films included So Evil, My Sister, a 1974 film that starred Susan Strasberg. In 1975 he appeared as Hopper McGee in the movie about Murph the Surf released as Live A Little, Steal A Lot, a film that starred Robert Conrad and Don Stroud. He also appeared in the Battlestar Galactica episode "Murder on the Rising Star" (1979), and later in the movie Death Wish II (1982) playing the part of Lt. Mankiewicz.Imdb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290843/ Ben Frank] He appeared in the Tales from the Darkside episode "A New Lease on Life" (1986).

Frank produced and had the lead in a 1986 film imdb [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113317/fullcredits#cast Full cast and crew for Hollywood Zap] called Hollywood Zap! in which he played a hustler.Rotten Tomatoes [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hollywood_zap/ Hollywood Zap (1986)]

He was involved in an anti smoking commercial not long before he died.Los Angeles Times September 17, 1990 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-17-mn-519-story.html Ben Frank, 56; TV, Film and Stage Actor]

Partial filmography

class = "wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

1963TerrifiedDuell
1974So Evil, My SisterWoody
1975Jessi's GirlsBrock
1975Murph the SurfHopper Magee
1979Just You and Me, KidFirst Policeman
1980FoxesDaryl
1980Don't Answer the PhoneSergeant Hatcher
1980Falling in Love AgainCabbie #1 (Present day)
1982Death Wish IILieutenant Art Mankiewicz
1982Slapstick of Another KindQuentin, The handyman
1986Hollywood Vice SquadDaley
1986Hollywood Zap!Nash

References

{{Reflist}}