Frank J. Delfino (February 13, 1911 – February 19, 1997) was an American actor. Delfino had dwarfism, and most of his roles were related to his small stature. He remains best known for portraying the character of the Hamburglar in the McDonald's advertising campaign television commercial's over a 20-year period.
Early life and career Delfino was born in Brooklyn, New York. Standing 4 feet, 5 inches tall, he became a professional violinist and performed in "Midget Village" at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Delfino began his professional acting career appearing as "Johnnie" selling cigarettes for Philip Morris. He subsequently appeared in advertisements for Curtis Candy, Little Caesars, Sprite, and Snickers. He first appeared in commercials for McDonald's, beginning in 1971 and continuing for more than 20 years, portraying The Hamburglar.
In 1949, Delfino moved to Los Angeles to perform in his own local cartoon show, Jupiter Mars from Out of the Stars. He made his feature film debut in 1956 with an uncredited role in The Court Jester. He later had minor parts in films such as Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) and Planet of the Apes (1968). He also had more significant roles in productions including At the End of the Rainbow (aka: The Princess and the Magic Frog), The Odd Couple, Little Cigars, White House Madness, The Feather and Father Gang and Never Con a Killer.
Delfino and his wife, Sadie, also worked as stand-ins for well-known Hollywood child actors, including Mike Lookinland and Susan Olsen, who portrayed Bobby and Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch. In addition to serving as stand-ins, the Delfinos appeared as "Kaplutian" extraterrestrials in one of the episodes of the final season of The Brady Bunch, entitled "Out of This World". One of Frank Delfino's last on-screen roles came in 1988, when he played a minor character in the TV series Circus.
Death Delfino died of bone marrow cancer at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California, on February 19, 1997, just six days after his 86th birthday.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1955 The Court Jester One of Hermine's Midgets Film debut, Uncredited 1960 Please Don't Eat the Daisies Minor Role Uncredited1963 Papa's Delicate Condition Midget Clown Uncredited Bonanza Timothy Episode: Hoss and the Leprechauns1965 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Boy - Midget Episode: Time Bomb At the End of the Rainbow Leprechaun The Wild Wild West Barker Episode: The Night of the Glowing Corpse1966 Movie Star, American Style or; LSD, I Hate You Midget Photographer The Beverly Hillbillies Spaceman #1 Episode: The Flying Saucer 1968 Planet of the Apes Child Ape Uncredited1969 Justine Child Prostitute Uncredited Hello, Dolly! Midget Uncredited 1971The Red Skelton Hour Mini Humperdoo Episode: Humperdoo's Little Prescription 1973 Little Cigars Monty 1974 The Brady Bunch Kaplutian Episode: Out of This World 1975-1990 McDonaldland Hamburglar 1975 White House Madness Secret Service Man 1976 Gable and Lombard Munchkin Uncredited 1978 The Lord of the Rings Character Actor Voice 1979Americathon Act 1980 The Hunter Poker Player Final film
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