Frank Fenton Moran (April 9, 1906 – July 24, 1957), known as Frank Fenton, was an American stage, film and television actor.
Early years FentonLos Angeles Times, January 5, 1937, Pg. 15 graduated from Georgetown University, where he lettered as a tackle on the school's football team. He also was active in Georgetown's undergraduate dramatic club, for which he directed and wrote plays.
Career Fenton started his career on stage in New York, acting on Broadway in An American Tragedy (1926) billed as Frank Moran. As Frank Fenton, he starred in the Broadway versions of Susan and God with Gertrude Lawrence and as George Kittredge in The Philadelphia Story (1939) alongside Katharine Hepburn. His other Broadway credits include Stork Mad, O Evening Star, Dead End, and The O'Flynn. He also appeared on stage in London, and toured with Katherine Cornell in Romeo & Juliet and other plays.
Fenton's film debut came in The Navy Comes Through (1942). After moving to Hollywood for Barbara Stanwyck's Lady of Burlesque (1943),Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1943, Pg. A7 the Hartford, Connecticut, native appeared in more than 80 movies and television programs. Although the majority of his motion picture career was spent in supporting roles, he starred alongside John Carradine in Isle of Forgotten Sins (1943), which was re-issued as Monsoon.
Fenton was married from 1934 to 1948Los Angeles Times, June 6, 1948, Pg. 7 to the former Aqueena Bilotti, daughter of sculptor Salvadore Bilotti. The couple had two daughters, Alicia and Honoree.Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1957, Pg. C10New York Times, July 26, 1957, Pg. 19 They divorced in 1948.
He is often confused—in print and online—with screenwriter and novelist Frank Fenton (1903 – August 23, 1971). The actor dropped his last name early in his career to avoid confusion with other well-known Morans in New York City, including prizefighter Frank Moran, drama reporter Frank Moran, and George Moran of the popular comedy team Moran and Mack.
Death Fenton died at UCLA Medical Center on July 24, 1957, at age 51. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Partial filmography
The Navy Comes Through (1942) - Hodum Claudia (1943) - Hartley (uncredited) Aerial Gunner (1943) - Colonel - HAGS CO (uncredited) Lady of Burlesque (1943) - Russell Rogers Isle of Forgotten Sins (1943) - Jack Burke A Scream in the Dark (1943) - Sam 'Benny' Lackey Minesweeper (1943) - Lt. Ralph Gilpin Hi, Good Lookin'! (1944) - Gib Dickson Rosie the Riveter (1944) - Wayne Calhoun Buffalo Bill (1944) - Murdo Carvell Secret Command (1944) - Simms The Big Noise (1944) - Charlton Destiny (1944) - Sam Baker This Man's Navy (1945) - Captain Grant Hold That Blonde (1945) - Mr. Phillips Club Havana (1945) - Detective Lieutenant (uncredited) Getting Gertie's Garter (1945) - Winters (uncredited) The French Key (1946) - Horatio Vedder Big Town (1946) - Fletcher (uncredited) Swamp Fire (1946) - Capt. Pete Dailey If I'm Lucky (1946) - Marc Dwyer, Political Boss (uncredited) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Violet's Boyfriend (uncredited) Hit Parade of 1947 (1947) - Mr. Bonardi The Adventures of Don Coyote (1947) - Big Foot Ferguson Philo Vance's Secret Mission (1947) - Paul Morgan Magic Town (1947) - Birch Relentless (1948) - Jim Rupple Hazard (1948) - Utah Sheriff Bob Waybill A Foreign Affair (1948) - Major Mathews Bodyguard (1948) - Lt. Borden Renegades of Sonora (1948) - Sheriff Jim Crawford Mexican Hayride (1948) - Gus Adamson Rustlers (1949) - Brad Carew The Clay Pigeon (1949) - Lt. Cmdr. Prentice Joe Palooka in the Big Fight (1949) - Detective The Doolins of Oklahoma (1949) - Red Buck Ranger of Cherokee Strip (1949) - McKinnon The Golden Stallion (1949) - Oro City Sheriff Port of New York (1949) - G.W. Wyley (uncredited) The Lawless (1950) - Mr. Prentiss Sideshow (1950) - Manson Trigger, Jr. (1950) - Sheriff A Modern Marriage (1950) - Mr. Brown Streets of Ghost Town (1950) - Bart Selby Three Secrets (1950) - Sheriff Neil MacDonald (uncredited) Wyoming Mail (1950) - Gilson Tripoli (1950) - Capt. Adams Double Deal (1950) - Pete (uncredited) Prairie Roundup (1951) - Buck Prescott Rogue River (1951) - Joe Dandridge Texans Never Cry (1951) - Captain Weldon (uncredited) Silver City (1951) - Creede (uncredited) The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1952) - Ranger Captain (uncredited) Man in the Dark (1953) - Detective Driver (uncredited) Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953) - Salcedo's Officer (uncredited) Island in the Sky (1953) - Capt. Turner Vicki (1953) - Eric (uncredited) Gun Fury (1953) - Chuck - First Poker Player (uncredited) The Nebraskan (1953) - Army Captain (uncredited) Fury at Gunsight Pass (1956) - Sheriff Meeker The Naked Hills (1956) - Harold Cha-Cha-Cha Boom! (1956) - Head of Board of Directors (uncredited) Emergency Hospital (1956) - Edward Northrup (uncredited) Gun the Man Down (1956) - Sheriff Leading Posse (uncredited) Hell Bound (1957) - Harry Quantro (final film role)
References
External links
Brief biography and links to films