--- name: "Frank Albertson" canonical: "https://film.one/person/frank-albertson" fi1m_id: "frank-albertson" imdb_id: "nm0007214" tmdb_id: 78902 wikidata_id: "Q3082484" roles: ["Actor"] born: "2 February 1909" died: "29 February 1964" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 83 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-09-25T07:48:13.383479+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Frank Albertson ## Identity Frank Albertson - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/frank-albertson - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** frank-albertson - **IMDb ID:** nm0007214 - **TMDB ID:** 78902 - **Wikidata ID:** Q3082484 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Albertson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3082484, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007214/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78902 Actor. Born 2 February 1909 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, USA. Died 29 February 1964. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 2 February 1909, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, USA - **Died:** 29 February 1964 - **Active:** 1935–1960 - **Also known as:** Francis Healey Albertson, Frankie - **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 4 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 83, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 79 (1), 1940s 82 (2), 1950s 74 (1), 1960s 90 (1) - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 3, Action 1, Family 1, Fantasy 1, Horror 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $60m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Albertson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3082484, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007214/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78902 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*It's a Wonderful Life*](https://film.one/film/its-a-wonderful-life.md) (91) - **AMC+:** [*Psycho*](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) (90) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Frank Albertson > Frank Albertson gives self-important businessmen enough comic force to register even in a small part. We rate his brisk supporting work, particularly when a director makes that broad, confident manner do something less comfortable than raise a laugh. Sam Wainwright’s braying greeting in *It's a Wonderful Life* (1946) is not the sort of thing an actor can deliver apologetically. Frank Albertson makes it fit a comic businessman whose confidence leaves little room for embarrassment. The broadness suits Frank Capra’s family fantasy; a restrained version of that greeting would hardly improve matters. Albertson is useful company here, giving a recurring supporting character a clear identity without making the film stop to explain him. The early singing and dancing parts in *Just Imagine* (1930) and *A Connecticut Yankee* (1931) belong to a different phase. Supporting roles followed through the 1930s: he played Katharine Hepburn’s brother in *Alice Adams* (1935) and Leo Davis opposite the Marx Brothers in *Room Service* (1938). After the war came character parts and, from the 1950s, extensive television work. The shift from wide-eyed confusion to business-like pomposity suits an actor whose work depends on making a character immediately recognisable. Alfred Hitchcock puts that pomposity to sharper use in *Psycho* (1960). As Tom Cassidy, Albertson has a brief early appearance that establishes the money which drives the plot. We were unsettled by Cassidy’s business-like assurance; Albertson makes this early encounter unpleasant before Hitchcock needs to frighten us. The character has a practical job to do, and Albertson gives him enough personality that the introduction of the money does not feel like an administrative necessity. We would take this concentrated use of his manner over the more expansive comedy of Sam Wainwright. These are small contributions to films we recommend strongly, and neither requires Albertson to carry the story. His strength is economy, though his businessmen can seem fully accounted for after their first appearance. Capra can use that familiarity for comedy; Hitchcock makes the same sort of self-importance less agreeable. Start with *Psycho* if Sam Wainwright’s greeting has put you off. ## Biography Frank Albertson was an American character actor. Born Francis Healey Albertson in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, he entered the film industry in the early 1920s and appeared in well over 100 films and television productions between 1923 and 1964. In his early career he often sang and danced, with roles in *Just Imagine* (1930) and *A Connecticut Yankee* (1931). He had supporting parts in *Alice Adams* (1935) and *Room Service* (1938), the latter opposite the Marx Brothers. During the Second World War he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit. Later credits include Sam Wainwright in *It's a Wonderful Life* (1946) and Tom Cassidy in *Psycho* (1960). He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) ### Performed in (4) — the average rests on these - *Psycho* (1960), Fi1m 90, as Tom Cassidy — [page](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) - *It's a Wonderful Life* (1946), Fi1m 91, as Sam Wainwright — [page](https://film.one/film/its-a-wonderful-life.md) - *Wake Island* (1942), Fi1m 73, as Johnny Rudd — [page](https://film.one/film/wake-island.md) - *Alice Adams* (1935), Fi1m 79, as Walter Adams — [page](https://film.one/film/alice-adams.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *The Man Who Knew Too Much* (1956), Fi1m 74, as Taxidermist (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-knew-too-much.md) ## Complete filmography (164) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Padre - *Johnny Cool* (1963), as Bill Blakely - *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, as Jim O'Neal - *Bye Bye Birdie* (1963), as Mayor - *Going My Way* (1962), series, Actor - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Tom Batterman - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Sheriff Webb - *Sam Benedict* (1962), series, Actor - *The Lloyd Bridges Show* (1962), series, as Walter Asch - *Don't Knock the Twist* (1962), as Herbert Walcott - *The Investigators* (1961), series, as Insurance adjustor - *87th Precinct* (1961), series, as Pop Smith - *Man-Trap* (1961), as Paul Snavely - *Tallahassee 7000* (1961), series, Actor - *Bringing Up Buddy* (1960), series, Actor - *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Colonel Watson - *Michael Shayne* (1960), series, Actor - *The Tom Ewell Show* (1960), series, Actor - *Checkmate* (1960), series, as Jimmy Purdy - *The Aquanauts* (1960), series, as Mr. Linden - *Thriller* (1960), series, as Charles Salisbury - *Psycho* (1960), as Tom Cassidy — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/psycho.md) - *Johnny Midnight* (1960), series, Actor - *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Jason MacIntyre - *Hawaiian Eye* (1959), series, as Paul Charring, Wally Gibbs - *The Third Man* (1959), series, as Philip Reiner - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Sam Walker - *The Deputy* (1959), series, as Nick Harper - *The Last Hurrah* (1958), as Jack Mangan - *Lawman* (1958), series, as Clint Porter, Henry Bildy - *Bronco* (1958), series, Actor - *Peter Gunn* (1958), series, Actor - *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, as George Elkins, Sheriff Mike Strata - *Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer* (1958), series, as Abner Reed, Jason Gill - *The Enemy Below* (1957), as Lt. J.G. Crain - *Leave It to Beaver* (1957), series, as Mr. Gannon - *The Real McCoys* (1957), series, Actor - *The Restless Gun* (1957), series, as Jeb Lacey - *Maverick* (1957), series, as Harvey Storey - *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as Duck Hunter - *M Squad* (1957), series, as Walter Ashton - *Sugarfoot* (1957), series, as Sheriff Crabtree, Judge Mortimer Hall, Amos Markham, Sheriff Billy Boyce - *Richard Diamond, Private Detective* (1957), series, as Stuart Simons, Gerald Clayton - *Official Detective* (1957), series, Actor - *Nightfall* (1956), as Dr. Edward Gurston - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Lane Fullerton, Sheriff Charlie Horn - *The Gale Storm Show* (1956), series, as Stevens - *State Trooper* (1956), series, as John Henderson - *The Man Who Knew Too Much* (1956), as Taxidermist (uncredited) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-knew-too-much.md) - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Regis, Sergeant Kirby, George Wyncliff - *Cheyenne* (1955), series, as Johnny Kent - *The Phil Silvers Show* (1955), series, as The Producer - *The Millionaire* (1955), series, as Howard Bayliss - *Father Knows Best* (1954), series, as Mr. Wickett - *Lassie* (1954), series, as Norman Talley - *Girl on the Run* (1953), as Hank - *Kraft Television Theatre* (1953), series, as Biff Grimes - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, Actor - *Tales of Tomorrow* (1951), series, Actor - *The Billy Rose Show* (1950), series, Actor - *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Mr. Edgar, Dr. Coffee - *Robert Montgomery Presents* (1950), series, Actor - *Studio One* (1948), series, as Colonel Greer - *The Philco Television Playhouse* (1948), series, Actor - *Shed No Tears* (1948), as Hutton - *Killer Dill* (1947), as William T. Allen - *The Hucksters* (1947), as Max Herman - *Kraft Television Theatre* (1947), series, Actor - *Ginger* (1947), as Barney O'Hara - *It's a Wonderful Life* (1946), as Sam Wainwright — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/its-a-wonderful-life.md) - *They Made Me a Killer* (1946), as Patrolman Al Wilson - *Gay Blades* (1946), as Frankie Dowell - *How DOooo You Do* (1945), as Tom Brandon - *Smart Boy* (1945), as Bill Adams - *Arson Squad* (1945), as Tom Mitchell - *I Love a Soldier* (1944), as Little Soldier - *And the Angels Sing* (1944), as Oliver - *Rosie the Riveter* (1944), as Charlie Doran - *Flight Characteristics of the P-51 Airplane* (1944), as Major - *O, My Darling Clementine* (1943), as 'Dapper' Dan Franklin - *Mystery Broadcast* (1943), as Michael Jerome - *Here Comes Elmer* (1943), as Joe Maxwell - *Keep 'Em Slugging* (1943), as Frank - *Silent Witness* (1943), as Bruce L. Strong - Attorney - *Underground Agent* (1942), as Johnny Davis - *City of Silent Men* (1942), as Gil Davis - *Dead End Kids Go To War* (1942), as Jerry Markham - *Wake Island* (1942), as Johnny Rudd — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/wake-island.md) - *Junior G-Men of the Air* (1942), as Jerry Markham - *Shepherd of the Ozarks* (1942), as Lieutenant James J. 'Jimmy' Maloney, Jr. - *Man From Headquarters* (1942), as Larry Doyle - *Louisiana Purchase* (1941), as Robert Davis, Jr. - *Flying Cadets* (1941), as Bob Ames - *Burma Convoy* (1941), as Mike Weldon - *Citadel of Crime* (1941), as Jim Rogers - *Father Steps Out* (1941), as Jimmy Dugan - *Man-Made Monster* (1941), as Mark Adams - *Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery* (1941), as Sanders - *Behind the News* (1940), as Jeff Flavin - *When the Daltons Rode* (1940), as Emmett Dalton - *Dr. Christian Meets the Women* (1940), as Bill Ferris - *The Ghost Comes Home* (1940), as Ernest - *Framed* (1940), as Hank Parker - *Bachelor Mother* (1939), as Freddie Miller - *I'll Tell the World* (1939), as Jimmy Hawkins - *The Shining Hour* (1938), as Benny Collins - *Spring Madness* (1938), as Hat - *Fugitives for a Night* (1938), as Matt Ryan - *Room Service* (1938), as Leo Davis - *Mother Carey's Chickens* (1938), as Tom Hamilton Jr. - *The Magician's Daughter* (1938), as Bob Wilson - *Hold That Kiss* (1938), as Steve Evans - *Navy Blue and Gold* (1937), as Weeks - *The Plainsman* (1936), as A Young Trooper - *No Place like Rome* (1936), as Flavius - Roman Bachelor - *Fury* (1936), as Charlie Wilson - *The Farmer in the Dell* (1936), as Davy Davenport - *Ah, Wilderness!* (1935), as Arthur Miller - *Kind Lady* (1935), as Peter Santard - *East of Java* (1935), as Larry Page - *Personal Maid's Secret* (1935), as Kent Fletcher - *Waterfront Lady* (1935), as Ronny Hillyer aka Bill - *Alice Adams* (1935), as Walter Adams — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/alice-adams.md) - *Doubting Thomas* (1935), as Jimmy Brown - *Enter Madame* (1935), as John Fitzgerald - *Tripping Through the Tropics* (1934), as Jack - *Hollywood Mystery* (1934), as Daniel Patrick Ryan - *The Life of Vergie Winters* (1934), as Ranny Truesdale - *The Last Gentleman* (1934), as Allan Blaine, Augusta's adopted son - *Love Detectives* (1934), as Bob - *King for a Night* (1933), as Dick Morris - *Rainbow Over Broadway* (1933), as Don Hayes - *Ever in My Heart* (1933), as Sam Archer - *Midshipman Jack* (1933), as Russell H. Burns - *Dangerous Crossroads* (1933), as Jimmie Blake - *Ann Carver's Profession* (1933), as Jim - *The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble* (1933), as Bob Graham - *The Plumber and the Lady* (1933), as James Fawcett - *The Billion Dollar Scandal* (1933), as "Babe" Partos - *Boys Will Be Boys* (1932), as Frank Albertson - *The Lost Special* (1932), as Tom Hood - *Air Mail* (1932), as Tommy Bogan - *Huddle* (1932), as Larry - *Racing Youth* (1932), as Teddy Blue - *Way Back Home* (1931), as David Clark - *The Brat* (1931), as Stephen Forester - *Traveling Husbands* (1931), as Barry Greene - *Big Business Girl* (1931), as Johnny Saunders - *A Connecticut Yankee* (1931), as Emile le Poulet / Clarence - *Just Imagine* (1930), as RT-42 - *Wild Company* (1930), as Larry Grayson - *So This Is London* (1930), as Junior Draper - *Born Reckless* (1930), as Frank Sheldon - *Spring Is Here* (1930), as Stacy Adams - *Son of the Gods* (1930), as Kicker - *The Big Party* (1930), as Jack Hunter - *Men Without Women* (1930), as Ensign Price - *Happy Days* (1929), as Frankie Albertson - *Salute* (1929), as Midshipman Albert Edward Price - *Words and Music* (1929), as Skeet Mulroy - *Blue Skies* (1929), as Richard Lewis (episode 2) - *Prep and Pep* (1928), as Bunk Hill - *The Farmer's Daughter* (1928), as Allan Boardman Jr. - *The Covered Wagon* (1923), as Bit (uncredited) ## Gallery - ![Lobby card for the American comedy film Big Business Girl (1931).](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-d854b60b4c52.jpg) Lobby card for the American comedy film Big Business Girl (1931). — First National Pictures / Warner Bros. The card has no copyright marks. At bottom left is Made in USA. (in border near First National logo), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Big_Business_Girl_lobby_card.jpg/1280px-Big_Business_Girl_lobby_card.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Cropped screenshot of Frank Albertson from the trailer for the film Fury (1936).](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-a32b32bd5abc.jpg) Cropped screenshot of Frank Albertson from the trailer for the film Fury (1936). — Trailer screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Frank_Albertson_in_Fury_%281936%29_trailer.jpg/1280px-Frank_Albertson_in_Fury_%281936%29_trailer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lobby card for the 1938 film Fugitives for a Night with Frank Albertson, Eleanor Lynn, and Bradley Page.](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-f47511858c82.jpg) Lobby card for the 1938 film Fugitives for a Night with Frank Albertson, Eleanor Lynn, and Bradley Page. — RKO Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Fugitives_For_a_Night_lobby_card.jpg/1280px-Fugitives_For_a_Night_lobby_card.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lobby card for the American comedy film Room Service (1938).](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-e445eb7ec900.jpg) Lobby card for the American comedy film Room Service (1938). — RKO Radio Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Room_Service_lobby_card.jpg/1280px-Room_Service_lobby_card.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Frank Albertson](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-02d2deaf0e64.jpg) Frank Albertson — Image via TMDB - ![Frank Albertson](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-03a543e6400d.jpg) Frank Albertson — Image via TMDB - ![Still from the American comedy film The Big Party (1930). Subjects (LCTGM): motion pictures, actresses, actors](https://film.one/media/person/59200/gallery-3be8ab49e636.jpg) Still from the American comedy film The Big Party (1930). Subjects (LCTGM): motion pictures, actresses, actors — Unknown photographerUnknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/The_Big_Party_%28SAYRE_14833%29.jpg/1280px-The_Big_Party_%28SAYRE_14833%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1960: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/frank-albertson