Frank Cady
Acting
Although Frank Cady's most famous role would be that of general-store owner Sam Drucker, one of the less nutty residents of Hooterville in both Green Acres (1965) and Petticoat Junction (1963), he had a history as a film, stage and television actor long before those shows. Cady also appeared on some radio programs including Gunsmoke.
In the 1950s, Cady played Doc Williams in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), along with numerous supporting parts in movies and also appeared in television commercials for (among other products) Shasta Grape Soda. Cady has been most prolific in television and was the only actor to play a recurring character on three TV sitcoms at the same time, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Green Acres (1965), and Petticoat Junction (1963). Usually cast as a gregarious small-town businessman, druggist, store clerk or other type of all-around Midwestern-type good guy, Cady was actually a California native, born in Susanville in 1915.
The acting bug bit him when he sang in an elementary school play, and after graduating from Stanford University he headed to London, England, to train in the theater.
When World War II broke out he was already in Europe, so he enlisted in the Army Air Force and spent the next several years in postings all over the continent. After his discharge he returned to the US and headed for Hollywood.
An agent saw him in a local play, signed him, and he was on his way. One of his earlier--and more atypical--roles was as a seedy underworld character pulled in for questioning in a cop's murder in the noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), and he played a succession of hotel clerks, bureaucrats, henpecked husbands and the like for the next 40+ years. He did much television work from the mid-'50s onward.
Cady resided in Wilsonville, Oregon and at the time of his death had two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Media of
Frank Cady
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Frank Cady
... 2005
Sam Drucker
... 1990
Mr. Sutter
... 1978
Pa Tater
... 1975
Pa Allan
... 1974
Clothing Store Proprietor
... 1973
Assayer
... 1971
Mayor James Sargent
... 1964
John Milstead
... 1959
... 1958
Willie Poole
... 1958
Abe Pickett (uncredited)
... 1957
Doctor
... 1956
Henry Daigle
... 1956
Trader Joe
... 1955
Canford (uncredited)
... 1955
Man on Fire Escape
... 1954
Dr. Day
... 1953
Mr. Watts
... 1953
Bennie Amboy
... 1952
F.B.I. Agent George Weinberg
... 1952
Ferguson
... 1951
Harold Ferris
... 1951
Mr. Federber
... 1951
Parole Officer Creavy
... 1951
Gas Station Man
... 1951
Showbox Puppeteer (uncredited)
... 1950
Harry (uncredited)
... 1950
Max Henry
... 1950
Elevator Operator (uncredited)
... 1950
Fred Backett
... 1950
Janitor (uncredited)
... 1950
Eddie (uncredited)
... 1950
Bald Plant Worker in Locker Room (uncredited)
... 1950
Timid Engagement Party Guest (uncredited)
... 1950
Night Clerk (uncredited)
... 1950
Geologist (uncredited)
... 1950
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
... 1950
Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator
... 1950
Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)
... 1949
Nolan - City Editor (uncredited)
... 1949
Oculist (uncredited)
... 1949
Reporter (uncredited)
... 1949
Motorist (uncredited)
... 1949
... 1949
... 1949
Pete Hammond
... 1949
Gus Barton
... 1948
Skinner
... 1948
Prof. Edwards
... 1947