Frank Morgan

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Morgan (born June 1, 1890 in New York City , New York , † September 18, 1949 in Beverly Hills , California , actually Francis Phillip Wuppermann ) was an American theater and film actor , today's audience mainly for his title role known in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Life

Frank Morgan and Madge Kennedy in a publicity photo (1917)

Frank Morgan had German, Spanish and English ancestors. He was born into a wealthy New York merchant family who specialized in the distribution of Angostura liquor. He succeeded his older brother Ralph , who had made a name for himself as an actor on Broadway . Since 1916 Frank Morgan made regular film appearances, but it was only with the advent of talkies that he established himself as a sought-after actor in Hollywood. In 1935 he was for his portrayal of Alessandro de 'Medici in the historical film The Affairs of Cellini for the Oscar as best actor nominated. From the mid-1930s under contract with Metro Goldwyn Mayer , Frank Morgan was regularly used as a supporting actor. Morgan's enduring fame stems from his appearance in The Wizard of Oz , in which he impersonated five different roles in 1939, including the eponymous wizard.

In 1943, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his appearance in Tortilla Flat , the film adaptation of John Steinbeck 's novel of the same name. The actor's best-known films include the romantic comedy Rendezvous after the store closes (1940) by Ernst Lubitsch , the film drama The White Cliffs of Dover , in which he played Irene Dunne's film father in 1944 , and the adventure film The Three Musketeers , where he became King of France in 1948 Louis XIII was seen. Frequently used in comedies, Frank Morgan played one of his few dramatic roles in Deadly Storm alongside James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan in 1940 . Morgan died of a heart attack while filming Duel in der Manege , the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun . Then Louis Calhern took over his role. Frank Morgan was married to Alma Muller from 1914. The connection resulted in a son.

Frank Morgan has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star at 1708 Vine Street honors his work in film, while the star at 6700 Hollywood Boulevard commemorates the actor's extensive radio activities. His grave is in Green-Wood Cemetery in New York.

Filmography (selection)

Awards

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Morgan, Frank
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Wuppermann, Francis Philip
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American film and stage actor
DATE OF BIRTH June 1, 1890
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City , New York , United States
DATE OF DEATH September 18, 1949
Place of death Beverly Hills , California , United States