James Franciscus - Film & Theater Personalities, Family and Childhood
James Franciscus's Personal Details
James Grover Franciscus was an American actor
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 31, 1934 |
| Died on | July 8, 1991 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Film & Theater Personalities, Actors |
| City/State | Missouri |
| Spouses | Carla Ankney (m. 1980–1991), Kathleen Wellman (m. 1960–1979) |
| Known as | James Grover Franciscus |
| Birth Place | Clayton, Missouri, United States |
| Height | 179 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | John Allen Franciscus |
| Mother | Lorraine (née Grover) |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Clayton, Missouri, United States |
| Famous as | Actor |
| Died at Age | 57 |
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James Franciscus's photo
Who is James Franciscus?
James Grover Franciscus was an American actor. He had appeared in many films, but he is better known for his roles in television series. These include roles in popular shows, such as ‘The Investigators,’ ‘Longstreet,’ ‘The Naked City,’ and ‘Mr. Novak.’ With a face that seemed chiseled to perfection, and a deep penetrating gaze, Franciscus exuded both boyish charm and maturity. This curious combination was reflected in many of his major roles on both the big and the small screens. In these roles, he was not just a character who moved along a plotline by matured decision-making, but also had his own vulnerabilities and naiveties. His career as an actor bloomed during the 1960s and the 1970s. As a testament to his mettle as an actor, James Franciscus landed roles, not just in American productions, but also in Italian films, under esteemed directors, such as Dario Argento. However, in the latter years, he was offered less substantial roles. Disheartened with this scenario, he shifted his focus to writing and producing films. Unfortunately, he died due to complications that arose from his smoking habits.
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Childhood & Early Life
James Franciscus was born on January 31, 1934, at Clayton, Missouri in the United States, to Lorraine (nee Grover) and John Allen Franciscus. John, a soldier in the Second World War, was killed in action.
Having a creative bend of mind, Franciscus joined a Bachelors program in English and theatre arts at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated magna cum laude in 1957.
Career
Franciscus’ first major role was in television. He played the role of Jim Halloran, a detective, in a half-hour episode of ‘The Naked City’, a television series that was produced by ABC.
Following his debut in television, he appeared in a few other television shows like the military sitcom, ‘Hennesey.’ In the show, produced by CBS, James Franciscus appeared alongside the American actor, Jackie Cooper.
Another important television drama in which Franciscus appeared was the NBC production called ‘The Americans.’ It was a family drama revolving around the American Civil War.
James Franciscus got a major break in television when CBS cast him for the lead role in their 13-episode series, ‘The Investigators.’ In the show, aired from October 5 to December 28, 1961, Franciscus played the character, Russ Andrews, an insurance investigator. James Philbrook was his co-star on the show.
Continuing his stint with CBS, Franciscus was also part of the cast in an episode in the anthology series, ‘The DuPont Show with June Allyson.’ The episode in which Franciscus appeared was titled ‘The Empty Heart’ and was aired in 1961.
Franciscus appeared in a string of feature films and television programs during the 1960s and 1970s. However, even before this serial appearance began, he had a minor role in an episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’, titled ‘Judgment Night’, in 1959. Similarly, he had a major role in an episode of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Summer Shade’, that was aired in 1961.
Franciscus was also part of the cast in the film, ‘I Passed for White’, that released in 1960. One of his more interesting roles in the same decade was that of Mike Norris, in an episode of the NBC medical drama, ‘The Eleventh Hour.’ The episode, titled ‘Hang by One Hand’ was aired in 1963.
Another NBC show in which Franciscus appeared around the same time was ‘Combat!’, a television series that depicted the heroics of a group of American soldiers, fighting the Nazis in France during the Second World War.
In 1963, James Franciscus appeared in the Disney movie, ‘Miracle of the White Stallions’.
However, Franciscus’ most memorable role came afterwards, when he appeared in the lead role in ‘Mr. Novak.’ The television series that was produced by NBC was aired from 1963 to 1965. In the series, Franciscus played the character, John Novak, a first-year High School teacher in New York, who frequently got involved in the lives of his fellow teachers and students..
Another role for which James Franciscus is widely remembered was in the ABC television show, ‘Longstreet’, which was aired from 1971 to 1972. In the show, Franciscus played a blind character who takes martial arts lessons from a character played by the legendary Bruce Lee.
On the big screen, Franciscus lent his voice to the lead character in the Oscar nominated, ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull.’ The movie released in 1973.
However, it was in television that Franciscus continued to shine. He became the host, alongside Lloyd Bridges, in the real-life adventure television series, ‘Waterworld.’ The series was aired from 1972 to 1975.
In 1977, Francisus starred in the fifth television series of his career, as a secret agent, in ‘Hunter.’
Some of the more popular movies during the 1960s and the 1970s, in which James Franciscus acted, include ‘Marooned,’ ‘Beneath the Planet of the Apes,’ ‘City of Fire,’ ‘When Time Ran Out,’ and ‘The Greek Tycoon.’
Apart from Hollywood productions, Franciscus appeared in Italian films too. In 1971, he landed the lead role in the legendary Italian director, Dario Argento’s ‘The Cat o’ Nine Tails’.
In 1979, he starred in the film, ‘Killer Fish’, directed by Antonio Margheriti. In 1980, Franciscus appeared in yet another creature movie, ‘Great White’, which was inspired by ‘Jaws.’
He continued appearing on both the big screen and television. However, with time, he started getting offers for less significant roles. This made him switch to producing movies and television shows, and writing screenplays.
Personal Life & Legacy
James Franciscus married Kathleen Wellman on March 28, 1960. Kathleen was the daughter of William A. Wellman, a film director. The couple had four children.
After divorcing Kathleen, he married Carla Ankney in 1980.
Franciscus was a heavy smoker. In 1991, he died from emphysema.. He was still married to Carla Ankney at the time of death.
Trivia
At the time of his death, Franciscus was working as the screenwriter and associate producer, on the movie, ‘29th Street.’ The film starred Danny Aiello and Anthony LaPaglia.
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James Franciscus biography timelines
- // 31st Jan 1934James Franciscus was born on January 31, 1934, at Clayton, Missouri in the United States, to Lorraine (nee Grover) and John Allen Franciscus. John, a soldier in the Second World War, was killed in action.
- // 1957Having a creative bend of mind, Franciscus joined a Bachelors program in English and theatre arts at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated magna cum laude in 1957.
- // 1959 To 1961Franciscus appeared in a string of feature films and television programs during the 1960s and 1970s. However, even before this serial appearance began, he had a minor role in an episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’, titled ‘Judgment Night’, in 1959. Similarly, he had a major role in an episode of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Summer Shade’, that was aired in 1961.
- // 1960 To 1963Franciscus was also part of the cast in the film, ‘I Passed for White’, that released in 1960. One of his more interesting roles in the same decade was that of Mike Norris, in an episode of the NBC medical drama, ‘The Eleventh Hour.’ The episode, titled ‘Hang by One Hand’ was aired in 1963.
- // 28th Mar 1960James Franciscus married Kathleen Wellman on March 28, 1960. Kathleen was the daughter of William A. Wellman, a film director. The couple had four children.
- // 1961Continuing his stint with CBS, Franciscus was also part of the cast in an episode in the anthology series, ‘The DuPont Show with June Allyson.’ The episode in which Franciscus appeared was titled ‘The Empty Heart’ and was aired in 1961.
- // 28th Dec 1961James Franciscus got a major break in television when CBS cast him for the lead role in their 13-episode series, ‘The Investigators.’ In the show, aired from October 5 to December 28, 1961, Franciscus played the character, Russ Andrews, an insurance investigator. James Philbrook was his co-star on the show.
- // 1963In 1963, James Franciscus appeared in the Disney movie, ‘Miracle of the White Stallions’.
- // 1963 To 1965However, Franciscus’ most memorable role came afterwards, when he appeared in the lead role in ‘Mr. Novak.’ The television series that was produced by NBC was aired from 1963 to 1965. In the series, Franciscus played the character, John Novak, a first-year High School teacher in New York, who frequently got involved in the lives of his fellow teachers and students..
- // 1971 To 1972Another role for which James Franciscus is widely remembered was in the ABC television show, ‘Longstreet’, which was aired from 1971 to 1972. In the show, Franciscus played a blind character who takes martial arts lessons from a character played by the legendary Bruce Lee.
- // 1971Apart from Hollywood productions, Franciscus appeared in Italian films too. In 1971, he landed the lead role in the legendary Italian director, Dario Argento’s ‘The Cat o’ Nine Tails’.
- // 1972 To 1975However, it was in television that Franciscus continued to shine. He became the host, alongside Lloyd Bridges, in the real-life adventure television series, ‘Waterworld.’ The series was aired from 1972 to 1975.
- // 1973On the big screen, Franciscus lent his voice to the lead character in the Oscar nominated, ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull.’ The movie released in 1973.
- // 1977In 1977, Francisus starred in the fifth television series of his career, as a secret agent, in ‘Hunter.’
- // 1979 To 1980In 1979, he starred in the film, ‘Killer Fish’, directed by Antonio Margheriti. In 1980, Franciscus appeared in yet another creature movie, ‘Great White’, which was inspired by ‘Jaws.’
- // 1980After divorcing Kathleen, he married Carla Ankney in 1980.
- // 1991Franciscus was a heavy smoker. In 1991, he died from emphysema.. He was still married to Carla Ankney at the time of death.
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James Franciscus's FAQ
What is James Franciscus birthday?
James Franciscus was born at 1934-01-31
When was James Franciscus died?
James Franciscus was died at 1991-07-08
Which age was James Franciscus died?
James Franciscus was died at age 57
Where is James Franciscus's birth place?
James Franciscus was born in Clayton, Missouri, United States
What is James Franciscus nationalities?
James Franciscus's nationalities is American
Who is James Franciscus spouses?
James Franciscus's spouses is Carla Ankney (m. 1980–1991), Kathleen Wellman (m. 1960–1979)
How tall is James Franciscus?
James Franciscus's height is 179
Who is James Franciscus's father?
James Franciscus's father is John Allen Franciscus
Who is James Franciscus's mother?
James Franciscus's mother is Lorraine (née Grover)
What is James Franciscus's sun sign?
James Franciscus is Aquarius
How famous is James Franciscus?
James Franciscus is famouse as Actor