Frank Albertson


Francis Healey Albertson was an American actor who had supporting roles in films such as It's a Wonderful Life and Psycho.

Early life

Albertson was a native of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the first child of Frank B. and Mary Albertson. He spent his childhood first in nearby Frazee, and later in Puyallup, Washington. 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.

Career

Albertson made well over 100 appearances in movies and television. In his early career he often sang and danced in such films as Just Imagine and A Connecticut Yankee. He was featured in Alice Adams as the title character's brother, and as playwright Leo Davis in [Room Service (1938 film)|Room Service] 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.
On October 10, 1950, Albertson starred in "Give and Take" on Armstrong Circle Theatre. 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, Albertson portrayed Tom Cassidy, the wealthy client who flirts with Marion Crane 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 February 29, 1964, aged 55. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack. He had five children from his two marriages. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.

Recognition

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

Filmography