Frank Patton filmography

When I was going to rehearsals at a dance studio on 18th St. and Broadway in Manhattan,N.Y. for the Show more When I was going to rehearsals at a dance studio on 18th St. and Broadway in Manhattan,N.Y. for the movie, "Off Beat" in 1986, I got on the elevator, and a man and woman got on with me. I have very good facial recognition with people. (Ray Danton, a tall,dark,and handsome actor from the 1950's, known for playing "Legs Diamond" in the film,"The Rise And Fall Of Legs Diamond"). I looked at the man, over weight, bushy beard and hair, salt and pepper in color, wearing a short sleeved sweat shirt and jeans and sneakers, and I said, "are you Ray Danton?, and he said, "yes, I am".(The woman next to him in the elevator wore a cap,sweat suit,sneakers, and her hair in a pony tail, and no make-up on and was wearing sun glasses, but took them off in the elevator). Then Ray said, "this is Raquel Welch, we're rehearsing for a show". I looked at her and noticed, that was her, and her skin was of natural beauty. Most of us men and women,as years go by, tend to fall by the way side in our faces and bodies. But, Raquel Welch is one woman, who still has that timeless look of beauty, facially and body wise, 28 years later. Hide

In 1985, Jackie Gleason and Art Carney teamed up again to do a TV Movie, called "Izzy & Moe". The Di Show more In 1985, Jackie Gleason and Art Carney teamed up again to do a TV Movie, called "Izzy & Moe". The Director was Jackie Cooper,(famed child star of Hal Roach's Rascals). I was handling the security as they were filming one day in the Bowery, in Manhattan, N.Y. We were inside this building made up to look like a "speak easy",(an illegal establishment selling "booze" during prohibition in the 1920's.) Izzy and Moe were undercover prohibition agents, looking to catch places like this selling alcohol illegally. Izzy(Jackie Gleason) and Moe(Art Carney),were dressed up in disguise as a Navy Sailor and a Mature Woman, respectively. During a break in filming, Art Carney sat down at a table with glasses and said,"these high heel shoes are killing me". Jackie Gleason standing next to him said,"then sit down and rest those "tootsies", Mary!" Art now said, "I'm thirsty, what's in the glasses"? Jackie Cooper said help yourself Art,it's tea. Art, ala Ed Norton, started examining the liquid in the glass, and said, it doesn't look like tea. And Jackie Gleason, ala Ralph Kramden, said "will you just drink it"! And Art said,"alright, you're sure it's tea?" Then as Art started to sip the liquid, Jackie Gleason said,"no, it's urine!" Both reacted like Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton. It was a classic moment. Hide

[on the passing of Lauren Bacall] She is a woman who I thought had stunning beauty, takes me back to Show more [on the passing of Lauren Bacall] She is a woman who I thought had stunning beauty, takes me back to my beginning years of acting in New York. As a former police officer, I was working security out front of the Palace Theater in New York City, where Lauren Bacall was starring in the Broadway play, "Woman Of The Year". My partner Bob Scarantino, an off duty NYC cop and I were in uniforms with the shoulder emblems, badges and hat shields slightly covered. Harry Guardino, who knew Bob, stopped to talk and was introduced to me. He was a real friendly regular guy. He was in a relationship with Lauren Bacall at that time, and he was confiding to us how Lauren was driving him nuts with her dominating ways. Then Lauren came out of the theater, and looking right at her, I said, hello Miss Bacall, she totally ignored my greeting and yelled at Harry, saying, what are you doing, lets go!(it was around 1982, and Raquel Welch was replacing her in the show so Lauren and Harry could go on vacation) Harry looked at us and said, nice seeing you guys, rolled his eyes and gave out a deep sigh and walked towards Lauren. Hide

In 1984, I was working security with a retired NYC Detective, Larry Silvestri. We were asked to secu Show more In 1984, I was working security with a retired NYC Detective, Larry Silvestri. We were asked to secure the parking spaces in front of the famous Carnegie Deli at 854 7th Avenue and W.55th St.,in Manhattan,N.Y. It was owned by Leo Steiner, a real Mensch(in Yiddish meaning, "a decent human being".) They were filming Woody Allen's movie, "Broadway Danny Rose" inside the deli during the daytime, and needed the street in the front to be cleared of cars parking there. (Leo Steiner made the Carnegie Deli famous for his food and laughs. People would say when Leo was there,"the deli was a party".) Well, our first night doing the security 8pm-6am, the deli was closing and Leo came out of the deli and said, "Larry and Frank, it's going to be a long cold night, I brought you both some hot soup, nice sandwiches, delicious knishes, cheese cake, Dr. Brown sodas and coffee, you won't go hungry tonight guys". Larry said, "how much do we owe you?", and Leo said,"stop, Ill put it on Woody's tab, he'll never know". Leo loved by everyone, warmed our bellies and hearts that night, little did we know, this kind soul would pass away 3 short years later. And the Carnegie Deli has never been the same since. Hide

Joy Todd, N.Y. and L.A Casting Director,once said to Frank Patton,"that he reminded her of a combina Show more Joy Todd, N.Y. and L.A Casting Director,once said to Frank Patton,"that he reminded her of a combination of Jackie Gleason and William Bendix". Hide

I was working security for a made for TV movie being filmed at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Greenwi Show more I was working security for a made for TV movie being filmed at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, N.Y. in 1981. It was titled, The Hallmark Hall Of Fame: Casey Stengel, starring Charles Durning as Casey Stengel. Being a longtime Yankee fan, I thought this job was going to be enjoyable. The Producer was David Susskind, who had a longtime late night talk show, that I found to be very interesting. David Susskind, the host, would ask fascinating questions of his unique guests every week. One day, while working security at the theater, I got beeped on my beeper,(this was before cell phones were a common form of communication), it was an hour before my relief was coming to the theater, so I could go home after my shift was over. I went to the manager of the theater to ask him if I could use his phone in his office. He said, yes. It was my boss calling to say my relief would be two hours late, and was asking if I could stay until he arrived.(I was enjoying Charles Durning's one man performance as Casey Stengel), so before I had the chance to tell my boss that I would stay, David Susskind barged into the manager's office and said, "get the hell off the phone, I need it". As I was about to tell him, "I'll be off in a second", he grabbed the handset of the desk phone out of my hand and pressed on the buttons to hang up on my call. Knowing who he was, and having respect for him as a Producer and TV personality, he was being arrogant, obnoxious and disrespectful. It took some restraint on my part not to tell him, where to go and what to do with that phone! Hide

[on working on the movie "Off Beat" in 1986] The actors and actresses, who were cast as New York Cit Show more [on working on the movie "Off Beat" in 1986] The actors and actresses, who were cast as New York City police officers to dance with Jacques d'Amboise's National Dance Institute's boys and girls, were in rehearsal at a dance studio in lower Manhattan, N.Y. with Jacques d'Amboise before filming started. Now, Jacques d'Amboise puts on a show annually at Madison Square Garden in New York City with real NYC police officers and his National Dance Institute kids to raise money for widows of slain police officers. That is where Disney Productions got the idea for the movie,"Off Beat". Jacques d'Amboise was a famed ballet dancer and choreographer for the New York City Ballet. So, one day while rehearsing with the actors cop/dancers, I said to Jacques,if myself and Mike Starr and Mike Lisenco, 3 burly guys, could do an "Entrechat", a ballet movement where the dancer jumps in the air and crosses his feet in rapid succession before landing on the floor. Jacques looked at me and had a good laugh and said only a guy like me from Washington Heights,N.Y., whose real name growing up was Joey Ahearn could appreciate that. Hide

[on James Cagney, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of George M.Cohan in the movie, "Yankee Show more [on James Cagney, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of George M.Cohan in the movie, "Yankee Doodle Dandy"] One of the classic scenes in the movie was when Mr. Cagney after visiting President Roosevelt in the White House, was walking down this long staircase, starts to tap dance down the rest of the remaining steps. Now, fast forward 39 years later, Mr Cagney, who was in retirement for 20 years, was enticed out of retirement by Director Milos Forman. He wanted Mr Cagney to play the part of New York City Police Commishioner Rhinelander Waldo of the early 1900's in the film, "Ragtime". Before going to Pinewood Studios in England, Mr. Cagney's first scene was in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was at the Brooklyn Armory, where there was a balcony on the 2nd floor. Mr. Cagney as the Police Commishioner was addressing a crowd of people below. It was a good scene, but was cut out of the finished film.(Why?, I'll never know, every scene with Cagney should have been left in the movie). Now, after finishing his scene, Mr. Cagney noticed a long staircase, his personal security were 2 New York City police officers, Frank Apicelli and Anthony Poveromo, both personal friends of mine.Both knowing I was a big fan, they told me the next day, when I was filming a small scene on the same movie, that Mr.Cagney, 81 years young with diabetes and sciatica, told them, "I'm feeling good, assist me on each arm just in case", and as the three of them were walking down the long staircase, Mr. Cagney said, "do you want me to dance down the rest of these steps?" They all got it and laughed. Meanwhile, I filmed a scene in James Cagney's last feature film.("Made it ma, top of the world".) Then when the film came out in the theaters, I was left on the cutting room floor.("You dirty rat!") Hide

[on filming the movie,"Two Of A Kind" in 1983, with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John] They were Show more [on filming the movie,"Two Of A Kind" in 1983, with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John] They were about to shoot a street scene on the Upper West Side in Manhattan,N.Y. I was on the set nearby working security(guarding the trucks with movie equipment). In character, dressed kind of shabby was the actor Scatman Crothers. So, with people on the sidewalk watching, there was a real New York City police officer,(who was there for crowd control), started telling the people to move back. Then he looked at Scatman Crothers and said,"you too, keep moving". Then Scatman Crothers said, "hey, I'm in this movie". Then the cop said, "come on move it". Then Scatman was about to verbally explode, when all of a sudden a p.a.(production assistant) came over to the cop and explained that Scatman was one of the actors. The cop then apologized to Scatman, and Scatman said, "that's better!". I stood nearby watching and laughing quietly as a funny situation could have turned ugly. Hide

In 1986, I was filming the movie, Off Beat. One day I saw Fred Gwynne on the set as he was playing t Show more In 1986, I was filming the movie, Off Beat. One day I saw Fred Gwynne on the set as he was playing the Commishioner. I walked up to him and said, Mr. Gwynne, I'm Frank Patton and it's a pleasure to meet you. I also said, I've got to tell you my younger sister, Jill loved you as Herman Munster. His reaction was a stern look and he gave me the middle finger salute and walked away. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he disliked playing that character. I then realized there was no chance of getting a picture of him and myself to give to my sister. Hide

Thinking of my favorite and original idol, James Cagney and meeting and visiting him for the first t Show more Thinking of my favorite and original idol, James Cagney and meeting and visiting him for the first time at his home in Stanfordville, N.Y. Months before, I started with vim and vigor as I began taking singing and vocal and tap dance classes in New York City. I took Tap classes with Mary Jane Brown, dance teacher at the International School Of Dance at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.(She was understudy for famed dancer of Hollywood, Eleanor Powell). Then I studied with Vocal Coach Ora Witte,(coincidentally I used to bump into one of her other students, either after class or before class, Ann Reinking, Bob Fosse's girlfriend, and also Broadway star of "A Chorus Line","Chicago" and many more). All this leads me back to my first encounter with James Cagney, in his house. Our conversation was the talk of doing either a film or Broadway show about Mr. Cagney. Producers were talking Donald O'Connor, John Travolta or Michael J.Fox to play Mr. Cagney. So, the "ham" that I was I said to Mr. Cagney, now that I got you in front of me, I've got to show you my dancing and singing impression of you as George M. Cohan, from your Academy Award winning performance in the film," Yankee Doodle Dandy". He said, let's see it! I did a short rendition of "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy", he laughed and smiled and looked at his manager friend, Marge Zimmerman sitting next to him, and said, he's a real "Prosciutto", (meaning Italian Ham). I was thrilled and honored with that classic remark. And being Italian, I loved it coming from James Cagney. Hide

With the recent passing of rock star, Prince, made me think of a film I did in 1987 called "Deadly I Show more With the recent passing of rock star, Prince, made me think of a film I did in 1987 called "Deadly Illusion". Writer Larry Cohen, wrote and directed the movie, starring Billy Dee Williams and Vanity, Prince's former girl friend. Glamorous Morgan Fairchild, was also in the cast, but everyone focused on Vanity, because of her beauty and connection with Prince. (Several years earlier, I was part of a security detail for Prince, as he and his entourage was staying at a luxury mid-town Manhattan, N.Y. hotel). An unusual occurrence happened in one scene of the film. The Staten Island ferry boat was the location of the scene of a crime. The police were called, and actors Joe Cortese, myself and Hollis Granville, as cops, were on a police boat heading towards the ferry boat in the East River on the east side of Manhattan, N.Y. Now, here's where that unusual incident took place. The ferry boat ran aground on a sand bar in the middle of the river, because of a tide change. Then the ferry started to tilt and everyone on board thought it would capsize. On the boat,was the film crew, extras, and all their cars, including mine! An emergency call went out to the U.S.Coast Guard and two tugboats. They tied rope lines to the ferry, so it would stop leaning. Meanwhile, during this halt in filming, the small camera crew on the police boat we were on, decided to break for lunch. They had catered food on the ferry, for the actors and film crew, but that was out of the question for us. So the second unit film crew took Joe, Hollis, and myself to a upscale fine restaurant in Lower Manhattan, N.Y. We had the better choice of food. Now, two hours later, the tide rose and the ferry escaped the sand bar. Filming resumed and Joe, Hollis and myself boarded the ferry to confront the criminals. I was the first cop to run up the stairs inside the ferry, and at the top of the stairs, I was shot and killed by actor Michael Wilding,Jr.(real life son of Elizabeth Taylor). It was a good death scene, that James Cagney would have been proud of. But, with that calamity event with the ferry, holding up production, and other issues, Larry Cohen, the director was going over budget, and was fired.Then, they brought in a new director, William Tannen. He chose to cut the ferry boat scene, and he wanted a new location for the crime, Shea Stadium, Queens,N.Y. The good things I remembered that day was my car did not go down with the ship, lunch was fantastic, and Vanity was very good looking! R.I.P. Prince. Hide

[on filming a prison documentary at Rahway State Prison,now called East Jersey State Prison at Rahwa Show more [on filming a prison documentary at Rahway State Prison,now called East Jersey State Prison at Rahway, New Jersey] The film was titled, "Scared Straight", and it was hosted by Peter Falk. Woodbridge, N.J. police officer Larry Barnikow was there to provide Mr. Falk with security, and I was with Larry. At the end of filming, I was not there that day,Peter Falk was giving out autographed 8x10's of himself as the Columbo character. Larry said to Mr. Falk,can you sign one for Frank, he wants to become an actor. Mr Falk obliged and wrote "To Frankie Tag, I'll be keeping an eye out on your success. Best, Peter Falk". and then confided to Larry, when I mean keeping an eye out, I really mean it!(Peter Falk lost his right eye as a child) Hide

As I go through life and talk with different people about many subjects, a friend told me "Cagney Th Show more As I go through life and talk with different people about many subjects, a friend told me "Cagney The Musical", starring Robert Creighton and playing at the Westside Theatre in NYC, will be closing May 28, 2017. Some Hollywood Producer should think about making this play into a movie. Based on the lousy scripts and sequels,that they are making nowadays, it would be a refreshing movie project about one of the Legends of Hollywood. This reflection made me think of another story of my favorite actor of all time. After meeting James Cagney for the first time in his house, in October 1979, I went back there a couple of months later around the middle of December, bearing Christmas gifts. As in the photo of myself and him,(in my photo gallery on Imdb.com) you'll see Mr. Cagney sitting in the chair with an old J-shaped black cane, because of his sciatica. To backtrack, during my first meeting reminiscing with Cagney(because of my trivia knowledge of his movies), he was laughing as he was telling me stories of him and his actor friends. Sitting and listening, was his manager Marge Zimmerman, as she watched him enjoying himself telling the stories. She interrupted and said, "Jim, tell Frank who sends you most of all the fan letters you get". James said kindly, "all the good-hearted Woppos". So, one of the gifts I gave Mr. Cagney was a hand carved Hickory cane with an ivory handle. I said, "it's my Woppo Stick for you". Also, living in Manhattan then, my favorite Italian pastry shop was Rocco's on Bleeker St. Reading from Cagney's book, called "Cagney by Cagney", I read his favorite dessert growing up was Napoleon pastries. So I brought a big white pastry box of Napoleons and other assorted Italian cookies and pastries. Before going into his house with the gifts, I told Marge, in the box was his favorite pastry. She said, Oh, he'll love it, but you know he's a diabetic, I'll have to "watch him"! So when the time came Marge took the "white cardboard box wrapped with white string" and said, "Jim guess what's in the box? He said, "pastries"? She said, "of course, what kind"? he said, "Napoleons"? And with his eyes wide open and biting his lower lip, he moaned with delight! Now backtracking again, when I went home after meeting him for the first time, and showing my family and friends "the picture", I had a T- shirt made with the inscription on the front, "I HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH JAMES CAGNEY"! Now, after giving Mr. Cagney, a walking stick, pastries, I opened my buttoned down shirt and showed him my classic T- shirt underneath my shirt as I was handing him a clothing box. He opened it and started laughing as he took out a T- shirt with the inscription, "I HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH FRANKIE TAG"! It was a memorable moment I'll never forget. Hide

In 1986, I headed the security with my friend Larry Barnikow,for MTV. They rented a ferry boat for t Show more In 1986, I headed the security with my friend Larry Barnikow,for MTV. They rented a ferry boat for the 100th Anniversary Birthday Party for the Statue Of Liberty, as we anchored near Liberty Island. Many celebrities were invited on board for a day of food,drink,fireworks,and music, headlined by "ZZ Top". They were terrific as they played on a stage, built on top of the ferry. There were over 100 small private boats gathered around us to listen to their music. Of all the celebrities,Larry and myself encountered on the boat throughout the day, Don Johnson was the nicest. He acted the same way when I worked with him on "Miami Vice", when I performed a stunt with a police car in front of the Moon Dance Diner on Sixth Ave. in Lower Manhattan, N.Y. This was in the first episode of the 2nd season of the hit TV show in 1985. Hide

In 1989, I had the opportunity to audition for the starring role of the television show, The Commish Show more In 1989, I had the opportunity to audition for the starring role of the television show, The Commish, I was told the character was based on the actual Police Commishioner of the city of Rye,New York, Anthony Schembri. They said I looked like him, and sounded like him, plus, I was a former police officer. So much for praise, Michael Chiklis, beat me out for the role. He got to be the Commish and I got to be the Knish! Hide

Paul Newman came up to me on the set of "Fort Apache,The Bronx", after learning of the picture of Ja Show more Paul Newman came up to me on the set of "Fort Apache,The Bronx", after learning of the picture of James Cagney and myself, and said to me,"How did you get a picture with Cagney, when I've been trying for years to get one with him." Hide

A customer came up to me recently and asked me, if I was in the movie,"Ghostbusters". I told him, I' Show more A customer came up to me recently and asked me, if I was in the movie,"Ghostbusters". I told him, I've got to believe I am the only blackjack dealer in Las Vegas, if not the whole state of Nevada, that had a speaking role in that classic film. Hide

Invited by A.C.Lyles friend,Jim Malinda to Paramount Studios in Hollywood,Ca. A.C Lyles told me a pr Show more Invited by A.C.Lyles friend,Jim Malinda to Paramount Studios in Hollywood,Ca. A.C Lyles told me a precious story of his long time friend, James Cagney. Cagney was in the hospital and unaware he had two weeks to live, so he wanted to go to his home in Stanfordville,N.Y., so he would be more comfortable in his own bed. Mr. Lyles went to visit Cagney one afternoon, they reminisced about the old days and had a good time. Mr. Lyles told Cagney, I'm going to leave and let you rest, and said I'll see you again. They embraced and Mr. Lyles went out of Cagney's bedroom and came right back in to go back and give Cagney a big hug. Cagney,his whole life was always aware of what was going on around him, looked straight into Mr. Lyles eyes and said, I know why you did that, two days later Cagney had passed away, and as Mr. Lyles finished this story tears welled up in his eyes, and mine too. Hide

Talking to a friend the other day about Elliott Gould, made me think back to 1983. I was doing secur Show more Talking to a friend the other day about Elliott Gould, made me think back to 1983. I was doing security on the film, "Over the Brooklyn Bridge", starring Elliott Gould. They were filming in an undesirable area in Brooklyn and I was on the set guarding Elliott Gould. He even carried a baseball bat with him for his "self protection". We got to talking and we got friendly. I also knew his business partner Bob Mahr, and after filming the movie, Elliott was going to star in a Broadway play called, "The Guys In The Truck". One day I got a phone call from Bob, Elliott's business partner, and Bob says to me, " how would you like to be in a Broadway show?" I said, "of course, who do I have to shoot, kiddingly". Bob said, "seriously, Elliott thinks you would be perfect for one of the roles in the play as an understudy/swing actor, and all you have to do is tomorrow go an audition and meet the Director,David Black, he will decide if you get the part". The next day, I went to the audition, Mr. Black liked my audition and said, "Elliott was right, you got the part". A week later I get a call from Bob, Elliott's business partner, and he says, "did you read the newspaper today"? I said, "not yet". Well, Bob tells me, " Elliott and David Black, the Director had some "artistic differences", actually they had a fist fight and David Black fired Elliott. And sorry Frank, you were fired too". I said,"oh well, thanks anyway, and give my regards to Broadway"! Show Biz!! Hide

[on the first"Crocodile Dundee" movie being filmed on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, N.Y. in fron Show more [on the first"Crocodile Dundee" movie being filmed on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, N.Y. in front of Vazac's Horseshoe Bar in 1986] I was doing the movie security for the film company. (I was living on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, and I bought a 1970 AMC gremlin for $100.00 from a friend. It was the perfect small car for finding a valued parking space in the city). Now, this particular day, they were filming inside Vazac's Bar and they finished filming at 8 p.m. The Production Manager said to me, "park your Gremlin in front of the bar", and we'll see you at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. The next morning my security job was over, I was tired and I wanted to go home to sleep. When the Director said, "I want that Gremlin to be in the first shot". The Production Manager said, "Frank, I know you want to go, but I'll give you $100.00 to keep the car right where it's parked for a couple of hours or so, it's going to be in the first scene with Crocodile Dundee, two actresses(playing hookers) and their pimp". The nice guy that I am I said,"Okay".(them not knowing, they gave me the money I paid for the car). Now, the first take of the scene, Crocodile Dundee, punches the pimp and he goes flying across the hood of my car and accidentally snaps off my antenna. I looked at the Production Manager and before I could say anything, he says,"we'll give you an extra $50.00 for the antenna". I then happily replied, "you can put a dent in my front fender for another $25.00, and he said,"what!, do you want us to go over budget"? Hide

When actors move to New York City to start an acting career, they usually work jobs like bar tending Show more When actors move to New York City to start an acting career, they usually work jobs like bar tending or waiting on tables in restaurants. You do this to pay your bills, while waiting for your next acting job. I sometimes worked security jobs connected with show business. One day in 1984, I was asked to escort some expensive jewelry to a fashion magazine "photo shoot". It was down on the Lower West Side in Manhattan,N.Y. The models were all dressed up beautifully, wearing the jewelry. A common practice at model photo sessions, is that they play great music in the background to keep everyone energized. Well, sitting at the main table with the Producers was Benny Goodman, famed Band Leader. He stood up and started tapping his foot and snapping his fingers to the music. One of the young female models said, get a load of the old geezer trying to swing it. I leaned over to her and said, you don't know it, but he is, "the king of swing".(A trademark nickname given to him by the music industry and his fans). Hide

In 1990, I was visiting a friend who lived in an apartment building on Whitsett Ave. in North Hollyw Show more In 1990, I was visiting a friend who lived in an apartment building on Whitsett Ave. in North Hollywood, California. After spending a couple of hours with him and his wife, I left his apartment and was exiting the premises by way of the locked front gateway. As I approached the front gate, I noticed an older gaunt man trying to use his key to unlock the gate. He was leaning on the gate and breathing heavy.(I have stated previously that I have good facial recognition, especially regarding old movie stars). I looked at him and said, "are you okay, John?", and he looked at me and said, yes.(The man was John Russell, United States Marine Corps Lieutenant on Guadalcanal in World War II,tall 6'3" dark and handsome and rugged star of the TV series, "Lawman" in 1958,and played the lead bad guy in the film,"Rio Bravo" with John Wayne in 1959). I opened the gate for him and he went into the apartment complex. Later, when I got home, I called my friend who I just visited and asked,if John Russell lived in the same apartment complex as him. He said, "he owns this apartment building complex along with many others". He also said he was struggling with Emphysema, for all the years he smoked cigarettes. John Russell, big muscular leading man actor of yesteryear, passed away from that disease six months later, tall, frail, and gaunt. Hide

Early on in my acting career in New York, I was working as a stuntman in a film directed by Richard Show more Early on in my acting career in New York, I was working as a stuntman in a film directed by Richard Brooks. He was a tense director and a Academy Award winning writer. The movie was the second to last film he directed. It was 1981, and the film was "Wrong Is Right" with Sean Connery. Mr. Brooks also worked during his career with Humphrey Bogart,Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee Marvin and Glenn Ford just to name a few of the good ones. Mr. Brooks had the nickname of "tough as nails", a former Marine, who had a reputation of being hard driving, difficult and perpetually angry. The scene I was in, was filmed at the World Trade Center, where a peaceful demonstration turned ugly and additional police was needed. I was to drive a police car with two other police officers inside, and stop at a certain point and we would get out of the car and assist in the riot. Now, Mr. Brooks told me to drive my car fast and stop five feet from where he was standing with the camera and his crew in the street. After we filmed the first take, he came up to me and said, emphatically "I want you to go faster and stop where I told you,on this mark!" I replied, Mr. Brooks don't you think that might be cutting it kind of close.(In my mind I was thinking if I don't stop on that mark, I might run over him, the camera and his crew) He glared at me and yelled, "look, if you can't do what I say, I'll fire your butt and get someone else to do it!" The next take I drove faster and stopped on the mark, and after the scene I looked at him for his reaction and he winked at me with approval. Hide

Moving to Las Vegas,NV gave me the chance to earn a "steady paycheck" unlike most actors(actually ab Show more Moving to Las Vegas,NV gave me the chance to earn a "steady paycheck" unlike most actors(actually about 95% of the Screen Actors Guild, SAGAFTRA) are financially struggling. My intention was to become a blackjack dealer. The timing was right, I came to Vegas from Hollywood when they were opening three new hotel & casinos at the same time, MGM Grand, Treasure Island and the Luxor. The job openings for dealers were plentiful. My thinking was that it was only a "short" drive to Hollywood for an audition. That's exactly what happened, Hollywood Casting Director, Jackie Burch, who knew me, called my answering service and wanted me to audition for the film, "Out To Sea" with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. I drove to L.A. at 20th Century Fox and got the part! Martha Coolidge, the director of the movie liked me and Jackie Burch didn't forget me. A short time later Jackie Burch called me at my house and said, " I want you to come in an audition for this film, "Vegas Vacation" and to meet the Producer, Jerry Weintraub. (He was a big Producer and big time promoter of concerts with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra) I did and the first words out of Mr. Weintraub's mouth was, "Frankie, you remind me of a "bookie" I used to know from New York"! I got the role of a"hustler" in the film, I had a scene with Chevy Chase's screen daughter. I was good, but it was left on the cutting room floor! Another short time later, Mr. Weintraub must have remembered my "riveting" performance, because local Casting Director in Las Vegas, Ray Favero called me at my house and said, "Ocean's Eleven" is filming here in Las Vegas and they want you to come in for an audition". I did, and I got the part. I don't know if it was Jerry Weintraub or I don't know if you remember my other story about Elliott Gould, but in the final credits at the end of the movie, there I am Frank Patton, right under Elliott Gould. NETWORKING!! Hide

My brief "mob" story was in the early part of my acting career in New York City. As I stated before, Show more My brief "mob" story was in the early part of my acting career in New York City. As I stated before, most actors work as bar tenders, waiters, etc. to supplement their income while pursuing acting jobs. I was tending bar at a Czechoslovakian restaurant on the Upper East Side, it was called The Praha, famous for having the best Long Island Duck in the city. One of my best customers was Frank Fiala, big drinker and great tipper. He owned his own company and was financially well off. He took a liking to me and said, "Frankie my friend, I want to buy my own restaurant and bar, and I want you to run it for me. Also, stick with me and I'll make you a lot of money, and I'll help you in your acting career". It sounded like an offer I couldn't refuse. Then weeks later, he calls me, he wants me to go with him to check out this restaurant and bar in Queens, N.Y. It looked good and he made the owner a cash offer, and two days later, the owner turned him down. Two months passed by and I didn't hear from him, then all of a sudden the customers in the Praha told me,Frank Fiala was killed at a nightclub in Brooklyn, N. Y. The story about Frank Fiala was that he was a rich man from owning his own company, but he was also a big drug dealer. This I wasn't aware of. The murder was unsolved until years later when Sammy "the bull" Gravano, underboss to John Gotti, head of the Gambino crime family, turned states evidence for the F.B.I. against Gotti. In his confession, he told the F.B.I. of all the murders he was involved with. He stated, in one case, he sold his ownership of a Brooklyn nightclub to Frank Fiala, and before the sale was totally finalized, Fiala insulted and threatened Gravano. Then Gravano had Fiala "whacked" out side the Brooklyn club with both of his eyes shot out! Thank goodness, I wasn't associating with him anymore. I like fish, but did not want to "sleep" with them! Hide