Frank McHugh was an American stage, radio, film and television actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and TV shows, mostly as a comic sidekick or a supporting character. He was born on May 23, 1898 in Homestead, Pennsylvania, and came from a theatrical family. His parents ran a stock theater company, and his siblings were also actors. He started performing on stage as a child, and later moved to Broadway and Hollywood. He was best known for his roles in Warner Bros. films, especially as Jimmy Cagney’s friend in eleven movies, such as The Roaring Twenties, The Fighting 69th, and The Irish in Us. He also starred in Bing Crosby’s films, such as Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary’s. He had a distinctive wheezy laugh and a waving finger that became his trademarks. He was a versatile actor who could play both dramatic and comedic roles, and he was well-liked by his colleagues and fans. He was married to Dorothy Spencer McHugh, and they had three children: Peter, Susan, and Barbara. He died of a heart attack on September 11, 1981, at the age of 83, in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was buried in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. (according to Wikipedia, UPI Archives, and Dead or Kicking)
Frank McHugh’s Memorable Performances and Awards
Frank McHugh had a long and prolific career in show business, spanning from the silent era to the 1960s. He worked with many famous actors and directors, such as James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, John Ford, and Frank Capra. Some of his memorable performances include:
Spud Connors, a race car driver who dies in a fiery crash, in The Crowd Roars (1932)
Danny, a newspaper reporter who helps Cagney expose a corrupt politician, in Picture Snatcher (1933)
Skeets, a sailor who falls in love with Joan Blondell, in Footlight Parade (1933)
Toomey, a hotel clerk who helps Cagney and Pat O’Brien escape from the police, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
Joe, a soldier who befriends Cagney and Bogart in World War I, in The Roaring Twenties (1939)
Father Timothy O’Dowd, a priest who assists Bing Crosby in his parish, in Going My Way (1944)
Festus Haggan, a drunken prospector who joins John Wayne’s wagon train, in The Searchers (1956)
Willie Walters, a handyman who lives with Bing Crosby and his family, in The Bing Crosby Show (1964-1965)
Frank McHugh was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in The Pajama Game (1954). He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry. (according to Wikipedia and Cinemorgue Wiki)
