Frank Fenton
Encyclopedia
Frank Fenton (April 9, 1906 - July 24, 1957) was an American stage, film and television actor.
-graduate started his career on stage in New York, eventually starring in the Broadway versions of Susan and God
with Gertrude Lawrence
and as George Kittredge in The Philadelphia Story
(1939) alongside Katharine Hepburn
. He also appeared on stage in London, and toured with Katherine Cornell in Romeo & Juliet and other plays.
After moving to Hollywood for Barbara Stanwyck
's Lady of Burlesque
(1943), 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 1934-1948 to the former Queenie Bilotti, daughter of sculptor Salvadore Bilotti. The couple had two daughters, Alicia and Honoree.
He is often confused—in print and online—with screenwriter and novelist Frank Fenton
(1903 - August 23, 1971). Ironically, 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.
Biography
Born Francis Fenton Moran, the Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
-graduate started his career on stage in New York, eventually starring in the Broadway versions of Susan and God
Susan and God
Susan and God is a 1940 comedy-drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March in a story about a matron who finds religion. The screenplay by Anita Loos was based upon a 1937 play by Rachel Crothers. The film was directed by George Cukor and produced by Hunt...
with Gertrude Lawrence
Gertrude Lawrence
Gertrude Lawrence was an English actress, singer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End theatre district of London and on Broadway.-Early life:...
and as George Kittredge in The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story (play)
The Philadelphia Story is a 1939 American comic play by Philip Barry. It tells the story of a socialite whose wedding plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband and an attractive journalist.-Production:...
(1939) alongside Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
. He also appeared on stage in London, and toured with Katherine Cornell in Romeo & Juliet and other plays.
After moving to Hollywood for Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck was an American actress. She was a film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong screen presence, and a favorite of directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra...
's Lady of Burlesque
Lady of Burlesque
Lady of Burlesque is a 1943 American mystery film starring Barbara Stanwyck and Michael O'Shea, based on the novel The G-String Murders written by famous strip tease artist Gypsy Rose Lee...
(1943), the Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
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
John Carradine
John Carradine was an American actor, best known for his roles in horror films and Westerns as well as Shakespearean theater. A member of Cecil B DeMille's stock company and later John Ford's company, he was one of the most prolific character actors in Hollywood history...
in Isle of Forgotten Sins (1943), which was re-issued as Monsoon.
Fenton was married from 1934-1948 to the former Queenie Bilotti, daughter of sculptor Salvadore Bilotti. The couple had two daughters, Alicia and Honoree.
He is often confused—in print and online—with screenwriter and novelist Frank Fenton
Frank Fenton (writer)
Frank Edgington Fenton was an English-born but American-bred writer of screenplays, short stories, magazine articles, and novels. He was the brother of noted actor and director Leslie Fenton.-Working Writer:...
(1903 - August 23, 1971). Ironically, 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
Frank Moran
Charles Francis "Frank" Moran was an American boxer and film actor who fought twice for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, and appeared in over 135 movies in a 25 year film career.-Sports career:...
, drama reporter Frank Moran, and George Moran of the popular comedy team Moran and Mack.