Person
Frankie Darro
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Frankie Darro (December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor. Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Darro appeared in his first fi…
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Frankie Darro (December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor. Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Darro appeared in his first film at age six. Due to his small size and youthful appearance, he played teenagers well into his 20s. Always a physical performer, Darro often did his own stunts, many times out of necessity - his small stature made it difficult to find stunt doubles his size. He was an accomplished horseman and, in addition to westerns, made several films where he played jockeys. In 1933 he played the lead as a troubled teen in a major film for Warner Brothers, "Wild Boys Of The Road." It is a pre-code film with a realistic look at "The Great Depression," from the point of view of the youth of the time. This film seems to have been rediscovered only recently and has received critical acclaim.That same year, he played a troubled youth in the James Cagney classic, "The Mayor Of Hell". Later in 1935, he had a key role in the cult serial classic "The Phantom Empire"(1935). As Darro got older, however, he found it increasingly difficult to secure employment, and by the late 1940s was doing uncredited stunt work and bit parts. He had a recurring role on The Red Skelton Hour (1951), unrecognized by his fans, he played "Robby The Robot" in the groundbreaking sci-fi film "The Forbidden Planet" (1956), though Marvin Miller, best remembered as Michael Anthony of TVs "Millionaire"(1955-60), was the robot's voice. After that Frankie appeared sporadically in films and on TV .
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1975
Fugitive Lovers
Movie Lester the Drunk
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1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1974
The Girl on the Late, Late Show
Movie Studio Guard
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1969
Hook, Line and Sinker
Movie Delivery Man (uncredited)
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1968
The Movie Orgy
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1967
The Guns of Will Sonnett
TV show Bartender (uncredited)
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1966
Batman
TV show Newsman
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1964
The Addams Family
TV show Delivery Boy
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1962
Going My Way
TV show Elevator Operator
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1962
The Notorious Landlady
Movie Stunts
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1961
Mister Ed
TV show
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1960
Checkmate
TV show Sonny
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1959
Operation Petticoat
Movie Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley
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1959
Mr. Lucky
TV show
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1958
Bat Masterson
TV show Edward 'Snapper' Garrison
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1958
Peter Gunn
TV show
More credits
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1957
Perry Mason
TV show Elevator Operator
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1957
Have Gun, Will Travel
TV show
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1956
The Ten Commandments
Movie Slave (uncredited)
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1956
Hey, Jeannie!
TV show Caddy
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1956
Forbidden Planet
Movie Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited)
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1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV show Little Dandy Dorf
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1954
Living It Up
Movie Bellboy Captain (uncredited)
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1954
The Lawless Rider
Movie Jim Bascom
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1954
Public Defender
TV show
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1954
Racing Blood
Movie Ben
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1953
Two Gun Marshal
Movie Clint Slocum
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1952
Pat and Mike
Movie Caddy (uncredited)
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1951
Westward the Women
Movie Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited)
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1951
Across the Wide Missouri
Movie Cadet (uncredited)
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1951
The Red Skelton Show
TV show Maw Kadiddlehopper
- 1951
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1951
Pride of Maryland
Movie Steve Loomis
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1950
Wyoming Mail
Movie Rufe
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1950
The Next Voice You Hear...
Movie Newsboy (uncredited)
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1950
Riding High
Movie Jockey Williams
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1949
Sons of New Mexico
Movie Gig Jackson
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1949
Hold That Baby!
Movie Bananas Stewart
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1949
Fighting Fools
Movie Johnny Higgins
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1948
Trouble Makers
Movie Ben Feathers
