William Frankfather

William Frankfather (born Billy Joe Frankfather; August 4, 1944 – December 28, 1998) was an American film and television actor.

William Frankfather
Born
Billy Joe Frankfather

(1944-08-04)August 4, 1944
Kermit, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 28, 1998(1998-12-28) (aged 54)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materNew Mexico State University
Stanford University
OccupationActor
Years active1976-1998
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Ann Leckliter (m. 1967; his death 1998)
ChildrenRichard Frankfather (son)

Early life

Frankfather was born in Kermit, Texas on August 4, 1944.

Career

Frankfather guest-starred in many popular television series of the late 20th century, including MacGyver, Night Court, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, Murphy Brown, Picket Fences, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Melrose Place, Empty Nest, Wings, NYPD Blue, Tales from the Crypt and Mama's Family.

Frankfather received his bachelor's and master's degrees, both in English literature, from New Mexico State University, and received a master of fine arts degree in acting from Stanford University.

He performed on many theater stages, including on Broadway in the original cast of Children of a Lesser God. He was a 25-year member of Theatre 40, a professional theater company in Beverly Hills, California. He was artistic director of Theatre 40 for five years up to June 1998.

Frankfather received six DramaLogue awards for acting and producing, and as artistic director of Theatre 40, produced works by playwrights such as Mark Medoff and Sam Shepard.

His feature-film credits include Mouse Hunt, The Rocketeer, and Death Becomes Her, but is best remembered on-screen for his menacing performance as Whitey Jackson, the killer albino, in the 1978 comedy film Foul Play.

Personal life and death

Frankfather died at University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center December 28, 1998, from complications of liver disease. He was 54. Frankfather is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Richard.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Foul Play Whitey Jackson
1980 Inside Moves Fryer
1981 Pennies from Heaven Pool Player
1984 Flashpoint Lacy
1985 Alamo Bay Mac
1986 Invaders from Mars Ed, Heather's father
1987 Harry and the Hendersons Schwarz
1987 Baby Boom Merle White
1988 Defense Play General Phillips
1988 War Party The Governor
1989 Valentino Returns
1991 The Rocketeer Government Liaison
1992 Cool World Cop
1992 Death Becomes Her Mr. Franklin
1992 Little Sister Dad
1993 Born Yesterday Senator Kelley
1993 Take My Breath Away Warden
1994 When a Man Loves a Woman Al-Anon Leader
1997 Do Me a Favor Gus
1997 MouseHunt Mr. Texas
1998 Rough Draft Officer Joe Final film role before his death in November 1998

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1985 MacGyver Barney Episode: "Target MacGyver"
1987 St. Elsewhere Prison Official Episode: "You Again?"
1990 Tales from the Crypt Mr. Colbert Episode: "The Secret"
1994-1995 Melrose Place Judge David Johnson Episodes: "And Justice for None" and "They Shoot Mothers, Don't They?"
1995 Empty Nest Minister Episode: "Goodbye, Charley"
1995 Wings Thurmon Episode: "Death Becomes Him"
1996 NYPD Blue Sam Episode: "The Nutty Confessor"
1996 Dark Skies Local Cop Episode: "Moving Targets"
1998 Any Day Now Episode: "You Shoulda Seen My Daddy"


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.