Frank Cady
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- September 8, 1915
- Died
- June 8, 2012
- Birthplace
- Susanville, California, USA
Frank Cady (September 8, 1915 – June 8, 2012) was an American actor. His most famous role was general-store owner Sam Drucker, one of the less-nutty residents of Hooterville in both Green Acres (1965) and Petticoat Junction (1963). He had a history as a film, stage, and television actor long before those shows, and also appeared on some radio programs including Gunsmoke. In the 1950s, Cady played Doc Williams in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), along with numerous supporting parts in movies and also appeared in television commercials for (among other products) Shasta Grape Soda. Cady has been most prolific in television and was the only actor to play a recurring character on three TV sitcoms at the same time, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Green Acres (1965), and Petticoat Junction (1963). Usually cast as a gregarious small-town businessman, druggist, store clerk or other type of all-around Midwestern-type good guy, Cady was actually a California native, born in Susanville in 1915. The acting bug bit him when he sang in an elementary school play, and after graduating from Stanford University he headed to London, England, to train in the theater. When World War II broke out he was already in Europe, so he enlisted in the Army Air Force and spent the next several years in postings all over the continent. After his discharge he returned to the US and headed for Hollywood. An agent saw him in a local play, signed him, and he was on his way. One of his earlier--and more atypical--roles was as a seedy underworld character pulled in for questioning in a cop's murder in the noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), and he played a succession of hotel clerks, bureaucrats, henpecked husbands and the like for the next 40+ years. He did much television work from the mid-'50s onward. Cady resided in Wilsonville, Oregon and at the time of his death had two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Filmography
The History of Hooterville 2005
as Self
Return to Green Acres 1990
as Sam Drucker
Soup and Me 1978
as Mr. Sutter
Hearts of the West 1975
as Pa Tater
Zandy's Bride 1974
as Pa Allan
The Boy and the Bronc Buster 1973
as Clothing Store Proprietor
The Million Dollar Duck 1971
as Assayer
7 Faces of Dr. Lao 1964
as Mayor James Sargent
The Man Who Understood Women 1959
as John Milstead
The Girl Most Likely 1958
as Pop
The Missouri Traveler 1958
as Willie Poole
The Tin Star 1957
as Abe Pickett (uncredited)
Three Violent People 1956
as Doctor
The Bad Seed 1956
as Henry Daigle
The Indian Fighter 1955
as Trader Joe
Trial 1955
as Canford (uncredited)
Rear Window 1954
as Man on Fire Escape
Marry Me Again 1953
as Dr. Day
Half a Hero 1953
as Mr. Watts
The Sellout 1952
as Bennie Amboy
The Atomic City 1952
as F.B.I. Agent George Weinberg
Let's Make It Legal 1951
as Ferguson
When Worlds Collide 1951
as Harold Ferris
Ace in the Hole 1951
as Mr. Federber
Dear Brat 1951
as Parole Officer Creavy
Lightning Strikes Twice 1951
as Gas Station Man
Hunt the Man Down 1950
as Showbox Puppeteer (uncredited)
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone 1950
as Harry (uncredited)
Experiment Alcatraz 1950
as Max Henry
Three Husbands 1950
as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Dial 1119 1950
as Fred Backett (uncredited)
- Pal, Fugitive Dog
Pal, Fugitive Dog 1950
as Doctor
Pretty Baby 1950
as Janitor (uncredited)
Convicted 1950
as Eddie (uncredited)
The Next Voice You Hear... 1950
as Bald Plant Worker in Locker Room (uncredited)
Father of the Bride 1950
as Timid Engagement Party Guest (uncredited)
The Asphalt Jungle 1950
as Night Clerk (uncredited)
Perfect Strangers 1950
as Geologist (uncredited)
The Great Rupert 1950
as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator
Young Man with a Horn 1950
as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
D.O.A. 1949
as Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)
The Lady Takes a Sailor 1949
as Mr. Wentworth (uncredited)
Abandoned 1949
as Nolan - City Editor (uncredited)
It's a Great Feeling 1949
as Oculist (uncredited)
Take One False Step 1949
as Reporter (uncredited)
Special Agent 1949
as Motorist (uncredited)
Flamingo Road 1949
Actor
The Crooked Way 1949
Actor
He Walked by Night 1949
as Pete Hammond
Bungalow 13 1948
as Gus Barton
The Checkered Coat 1948
as Skinner
Sarge Goes to College 1947
as Prof. Edwards
Credits from TMDB.