Frank Maxwell

Charles Francis Maxwell (November 17, 1916 – August 4, 2004) was an American actor who served as president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists from 1984 to 1989.[1][2][3][4][5]

For the English architect known by a similar name see Frank Maxwell (architect)

Frank Maxwell
Born	Charles Francis Maxwell (1916-11-17)November 17, 1916 The Bronx, New York, U,S.
Died	August 4, 2004(2004-08-04) (aged 87) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Actor, AFTRA Union president, 1984–1989
Years active	1939–1995
Spouse(s)	Maxine Stuart (actress), 1949–1963 (divorced) Rita Lynn, 1966–1996, her death)
Children	1

Life and career

A native of The Bronx borough of New York City, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, he appeared in 151 films or television programs. Maxwell began his acting career on the Broadway stage, appearing in such notable plays as Death of a Salesman (playing the role of Willy Loman's son, "Happy"), South Pacific (playing "Luther Billis," a role that went to Ray Walston in the film version, and Stalag 17. His first television acting roles were in 1950 in episodes of the Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse followed in 1951 by an appearance in the episode "The Overcoat" of the television series Big Town.

Maxwell subsequently appeared in such series as Decoy, with Beverly Garland, Peter Gunn (twice), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (five episodes), The Fugitive (three episodes), Whirlybirds, Black Saddle, The Man and the Challenge, The Deputy, Cain's Hundred, Follow the Sun, Hong Kong, The Asphalt Jungle, Target: The Corruptors, and Mr. Novak. He was cast three times each on Robert Montgomery Presents, Cannon, and Emergency! and four times each on Rawhide, Quincy, M.E., and The F.B.I.[6]

In 1960, Maxwell was cast in CBS's science fiction series, The Twilight Zone as Marty Fisher in the episode "A World of Difference". That same year, he appeared as Hackett in the episode "Millionaire Jessica March" of the CBS fantasy drama, The Millionaire.[6] In 1960 he made two guest appearances on Perry Mason: as Harry Wilson in "The Case of the Wayward Wife," and defendant Joe Dixon in "The Case of the Red Riding Boots." He made a third appearance in 1961 as Dr. Mooney in "The Case of the Injured Innocent."

In the 1962–1963 television season, he was a co-star of the ABC sitcom, Our Man Higgins, starring Stanley Holloway in the title role and with Audrey Totter and Ricky Kelman. Maxwell played the father, Duncan MacRoberts, in all thirty-four episodes of the series.[6] He also appeared as a regular on the TV series "Felony Squad" with Howard Duff from 1966-68[6] and "The Second Hundred Years" with Monte Markham from 1967-68.[6]

From 1973 to 1975, he appeared in five episodes of CBS's Barnaby Jones, with Buddy Ebsen. In 1977, he appeared an in episode of ABC's The Feather and Father Gang. In 1984, he appeared in a two-part episode of ABC's The Love Boat, in which he was cast as Colonel Charles Holmsey.[6] His last regular acting role was as Dan Rooney, the lovable aging hospital administrator on General Hospital which he appeared on from 1978-1988. Over the years, the character had a hand in practically every storyline and was a major participant in the now famous "Ice Princess" storyline which dominated the daytime ratings in 1981.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1957	The Violators	Sam
1958	Lonelyhearts	Pat Doyle
1960	The Mountain Road	Sgt. Ballo
1960	The Great Impostor	Tirdell	Uncredited
1961	By Love Possessed	Jerry Brophy
1961	Ada	Ronnie Hallerton
1962	The Horizontal Lieutenant	Col. Frank Delgan	Uncredited
1962	The Intruder	Tom McDaniel
1962	Pressure Point	Bund Meeting Speaker	Uncredited
1963	The Haunted Palace	Dr. Marinus Willet / Priam Willet
1965	A Rage to Live	George Jay	Uncredited
1966	Madame X	Dr. Evans
1966	The Wild Angels	Preacher
1974	Mr. Majestyk	Det. Lt. McAllen
1981	The Chosen	Radio Announcer

References

1. Frank Maxwell, Broadway, Film and TV Actor Who Led AFTRA and Equity, Dead at 87, By Kenneth Jones for Playbill, at Playbill.com, Aug 11, 2004, accessed November 8, 2012.
2. Google Groups news reference (alt.obituaries), August 6, 2004
3. OBITUARY: Frank Maxwell; 'General Hospital' character actor; 87 AP article for SignOnSanDiego.com, August 17, 2004, accessed November 8, 2012.
4. Frank Maxwell, 87, TV Actor Who Served as Union President, The New York Times article, at NY.Times.com, August 16, 2004, accessed November 7, 2012.
5. Frank Maxwell -- actor and union activist, article by Jon Thurber, Los Angeles Times for SFGate.com, Tuesday, August 10, 2004.
6. "Frank Maxwell". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved March 21, 2013.

External links

• Frank Maxwell at the Internet Broadway Database
• Frank Maxwell at Find a Grave
• Frank Maxwell on IMDb