Frank Sutton

Frank Spencer Sutton (October 23, 1923 – June 28, 1974) was an American actor best remembered for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter on the CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Frank Sutton
Sutton in a 1969 publicity photo
Born
Frank Spencer Sutton

(1923-10-23)October 23, 1923
Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJune 28, 1974(1974-06-28) (aged 50)
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Resting placeGreenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
36°30′24.8″N 87°20′31.9″W
NationalityAmerican
Alma materColumbia University (BS)
TelevisionGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Spouse(s)
Toby M. Igler
(
m. 1946)
Children2
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1946
Rank Sergeant
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Early life

Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Sutton developed an interest in acting, playing his first role at age nine and also starring in the drama club at East Nashville High School, where he graduated in 1941. He later said, "The first time I walked out on a stage, I had a warm feeling. I knew then I wanted to be an actor."[1]

After high school, Sutton returned to Clarksville to become a radio announcer. During World War II he applied to, and was medically rejected by, the Marine Corps due to color blindness.[2][3] He subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific, taking part in 14 assault landings.[3] Sutton was a sergeant who served from 1943–1946 in the 293rd Joint Assault Signal Company. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Acting career

Honorably discharged at the war's end as a sergeant, he began acting on stage.[4] He attended the Columbia University School of General Studies, graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree in drama in 1952.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Sutton played small roles in television shows such as Decoy, Route 66, Naked City, The Greatest Show on Earth, The Fugitive, The Goldbergs, 87th Precinct, Gunsmoke, Target: The Corruptors, Empire, The Twilight Zone, and The Untouchables. He had a continuing role as Cadet Eric Rattison, the great rival of the Polaris Unit manned by the series' heroes, in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet from 1950 to 1955. In 1955, he received his big break in the Academy Award-winning movie Marty, in which he played the title character's friend, Ralph. He also had a role in The Satan Bug, a 1965 spy thriller. He returned to the stage in The Andersonville Trial in the early 1960s.

Having primarily acted in dramas,[5] Sutton's breakthrough role was on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a 1964 episode of The Andy Griffith Show, in which he played the cynical and easily exasperated Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter opposite Jim Nabors' character Gomer Pyle. This episode was the pilot for a spin-off TV comedy, Gomer Pyle, USMC, where Sutton continued the role for five seasons, until the show ended its run in 1969. He also appeared in public service announcements in the role of Gunnery Sergeant Carter. After Gomer Pyle ceased production, Sutton appeared regularly on Nabors' variety show The Jim Nabors Hour with Gomer Pyle co-star Ronnie Schell. Sutton played the brother-in-law of Nabors' character in comedy sketches.[6][7] Sutton performed in dinner theater, playing, among other roles, the father in Norman, Is That You? and made guest appearances on other television programs.[8]

Personal life and death

In 1946, Sutton married soap-opera writer, Toby M. Igler, with whom he had two children, Joe Sutton and Amanda.[1]

On June 28, 1974, while preparing for a performance in the comedy play Luv at the Beverly Barn Dinner Playhouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, Sutton died of a heart attack.[1] He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in his hometown of Clarksville, Tennessee.

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1950The GoldbergsDutch
1955MartyRalphUncredited
1957Four Boys and a GunOllie Denker 
1961Town Without PitySgt. Chuck Snyder 
1965The Satan BugDonald 
1974HurricaneBert PearsonTelevision movie released posthumously, (final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1950-1955Tom Corbett, Space CadetCadet Eric Raddison 
1954The Glenn Miller Storyuncredited
1956The Edge of NightSgt. Fitzsimmons 
1958-1961Naked CityFranklin Maquon 
1960-1961DeadlineJohn McDowellLead role in the episode "To Move a Mountain" (1960)
1960-1961The Secret StormJoe Sullivan #2 
1961-1962GunsmokeCharlie (1961)
Olie (1962)
Billy Marston (1962)		 
1962Have Gun – Will TravelDavey WalshOne-time role – The Trap (1962)
The Twilight ZoneFrank, Jerry's managerOne-time role in episode "The Dummy"
1962-1963Combat!Corporal Cording– The Chateau (1963)
1962-1963The UntouchablesBenny Stryker (1962)
Smiley Barris (1962)
Angie Stazak (1963)
Sgt. Davey McCain (1963)
  • The Stryker Brothers (1962) … Benny Stryker
  • The Contract (1962) … Smiley Barris
  • The Speculator (1963) … Angie Stazak
  • The Butcher's Boy (1963) … Sgt. Davey McCain
1963The Fugitive(deputy) JacksonOne-time role in episode 3 "The Other Side of the Mountain"
1963Death Valley DaysDiamondfield JackEpisode: Diamond Field Jack aired October 1, 1963
1964The Andy Griffith ShowGunnery Sergeant Vince CarterOne-time role in episode "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."
1964-1969Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter 
1966PasswordHimselfGame show contestant / Celebrity guest star
1969-1971The Jim Nabors HourHimself
1970–1973Love American StyleVariousEpisodes:
  • Love and the Bonded Separation (1973)
  • Love and the Secret Life (1972)
  • Love and the Guru (1972)
  • Love and the Lady Barber(1971) … Herb Redding
  • Love and the Haunted House (1970) … Walter
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See also

References
  1. "Gomer's Sgt. Carter, Frank Sutton, Dead". St. Petersburg Independent. Associated Press. June 29, 1974. p. 14-A. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  2. Handsaker, Gene (August 21, 1966). "Visiting the Real War". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  3. "Imagine! Gomer Pyle Victim of 'Snafu' - Desert Sun 5 January 1965". California Digital Newspaper Collection. 1965-01-05. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  4. Kleiner, Dick (March 29, 1997). "Reader asks what preceded 'Gomer Pyle'?". Calhoun Times and Gordon County News. p. 3. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  5. Lowry, Cynthia (July 29, 1965). "Gomer Pyle Show Scored Immediately". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. p. 4. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  6. "Nabors' Production Still Popular". Rome News-Tribune. October 16, 1970. p. 9-A. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  7. "Complete Television Programs for Thursday". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 17, 1970. p. 48. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  8. Rearden, T.J. (Mrs.) (May 18, 1972). "Roaming Around Florida". The DeFuniak Springs Herald. p. 10. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
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