Frankie Darro

Acting

Born Dec 22, 1917

From Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died Dec 25, 1976

Frankie Darro (December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor. Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Darro appeared in his first film at age six. Due to his small size and youthful appearance, he played teenagers well into his 20s. Always a physical performer, Darro often did his own stunts, many times out of necessity - his small stature made it difficult to find stunt doubles his size. He was an accomplished horseman and, in addition to westerns, made several films where he played jockeys. In 1933 he played the lead as a troubled teen in a major film for Warner Brothers, "Wild Boys Of The Road." It is a pre-code film with a realistic look at "The Great Depression," from the point of view of the youth of the time. This film seems to have been rediscovered only recently and has received critical acclaim.That same year, he played a troubled youth in the James Cagney classic, "The Mayor Of Hell". Later in 1935, he had a key role in the cult serial classic "The Phantom Empire"(1935). As Darro got older, however, he found it increasingly difficult to secure employment, and by the late 1940s was doing uncredited stunt work and bit parts. He had a recurring role on The Red Skelton Hour (1951), unrecognized by his fans, he played "Robby The Robot" in the groundbreaking sci-fi film "The Forbidden Planet" (1956), though Marvin Miller, best remembered as Michael Anthony of TVs "Millionaire"(1955-60), was the robot's voice. After that Frankie appeared sporadically in films and on TV .

Frankie Darro

Known For

Pinocchio

Forbidden Planet

The Public Enemy

Operation Petticoat

The Movie Orgy

Pat and Mike

Westward the Women

Three on a Match

Wild Boys of the Road

Across the Wide Missouri

Filmography — Acting

Pinocchio

Forbidden Planet

The Public Enemy

Operation Petticoat

The Movie Orgy

Pat and Mike

Westward the Women

Three on a Match

Wild Boys of the Road

Across the Wide Missouri

Saratoga

Living It Up

Wyoming Mail

Flesh and the Devil

The Next Voice You Hear...

The Mayor of Hell

Riding High

The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

Charlie Chan at the Race Track

Broadway Bill

The Mad Genius

The Sin of Madelon Claudet

Hook, Line and Sinker

Stranded

The Phantom Empire

The Girl on the Late, Late Show

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Hollywood on Parade No. B-1

So Big

Irish Luck

Up in the Air

3 Kids and a Queen

Thoroughbreds Don't Cry

The Gang's All Here

Little Men

Tugboat Annie

That's My Man

Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs

The Merry Frinks

The Payoff

No Greater Glory

Long Pants

Junior Prom

Amateur Daddy

The Wolf Dog

High School Hero

Juvenile Court

The Devil Horse

Hold That Baby!

Mind Your Own Business

The Phantom of the Range

Tough to Handle

Kiki

Junior G-Men of the Air

Take It or Leave It

Way Back Home

Boys' Reformatory

Let's Go Collegiate

Dead End Kids Go To War

Laughing at Life

Tuxedo Junction

Sarge Goes to College

Born to Fight

The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

On the Spot

Confessions of a Queen

Rainbow Man