Kindly looking, avuncular Frank Ferguson was a familiar face in movies
and TV from the 1940s through the 1960s. He appeared in over 100 films and
was cast initially as ranchers, merchants or detectives in westerns and
film dramas and later as amiable, dependable characters such as doctors,
judges or clergymen. He was born on Christmas Day December 25, 1899 in Ferndale,
California. Little is known of his early years but he started his acting
career in New York training and working on stage. After a good start in
New York he headed back to Hollywood and films. He was also instrumental
in setting up the famed Pasadena Playhouse where many actors developed their
craft. He was one of its first directors and trained the likes of Dana Andrews,
George Reeves, Robert Preston and Victor Mature. He made his film debut
in "Gambling on the High Seas" (1940) as John, State DA. His other
film credits include: "Father Is a Prince" (1940) as Uncle Ben
Haley; "You'll Never Get Rich" (1941) as Justice of the Peace;
"Life Begins for Andy Hardy" (1941) as Stationer; "The Body
Disappears" (1941) as Psychology Prof. McAuley; "This Gun for
Hire" (1942) as Albert Baker; "Salute to the Marines" (1943)
as Pvt. Williams; "Boss of Big Town" (1943) as Bram Hart; "Little
Miss Big" (1946) as Dr. Raymond; "Smooth Sailing" (1947)
as J.B. Hunter; "The Farmer's Daughter" (1947) as Maattinaan;
"Killer at Large" (1947) as Edward Denton; "Walk a Crooked
Mile" (1948) as Carl Bemish; "Rachel and the Stranger" (1948)
as Mr. Green; "The Miracle of the Bells" (1948) as Dolan; "Abbott
and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) as McDougal; "Fort Apache"
(1948) as Reporter; "Dancing in the Dark" (1949) as Sharkey; "The
Barkleys of Broadway" (1949) as Mr. Perkins; "The Lawless"
(1950) as Carl Green; "The Good Humor Man" (1950) with Jack Carson,
as Inspector Quint; "Santa Fe" (1951) as Marshal Bat Masterson;
"The People Against O'Hara" (1951) as George; "Million Dollar
Mermaid" (1952) as Prosecutor; "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair"
(1952) as Sam the Jailer; "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" (1952) as
Mr. Norton; "Rancho Notorious" (1952) as Preacher; "Powder
River" (1953) as Johnny Slaughter; "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms"
(1953) as Dr. Morton; "Young at Heart" (1954) as Bartell; "Drum
Beat" (1954) as Mr. Dyar; "New York Confidential" (1955)
as Dr. Ludlow; "Battle Cry" (1955) as Mr. Hector Walker; "This
Could Be the Night" (1957) as Mr. Shea; "Terror in a Texas Town"
(1958) as Deacon; "The Light in the Forest" (1958) as Harry Butler;
"Sunrise at Campobello" (1960) as Dr. Bennett; "Pocketful
of Miracles" (1962) as Newspaper Editor; "Hush..Hush, Sweet Charlotte"
(1964) as Editor and "The Great Sioux Massacre" (1965) as Gen.
Alfred Howe Terry, his last film. On TV he was a regular on the series:
"My Friend Flicka" (1956-57) as Gus Broeberg; "The Real McCoys"
(1957) as Mr. Taggart, the Grand Pharaoh; "Petticoat Junction"
(1964-65) as Dr. Barton Stuart; "The Andy Griffith Show" (1964-65)
as Sam Foley; "No Time for Sergeants" (1964) as Pa Stockdale;
"Peyton Place" (1964-69) as Eli Carson and "Return to Peyton
Place" (1972-74) again as Eli Carson. He also guest starred on such
TV series as: "Lassie"; "Maverick"; "The Untouchables";
"Wagon Train"; "Perry Mason"; "Twilight Zone";
"Little House on the Prairie" and "The Waltons." He
died of cancer on September 12, 1978 in Los Angeles, California at age 78.
