Background
Maxwell, Frank was born on November 17, 1916 in New York City. Son of Francis and Elizabeth (Ray) Maxwell.
Maxwell, Frank was born on November 17, 1916 in New York City. Son of Francis and Elizabeth (Ray) Maxwell.
Bachelor, University of Michigan, 1938.
Foreign the English architect known by a similar name see Frank Maxwell (architect)
A native of The Bronx borough of New York City, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, he appeared in 151 films or television programs. Maxwell began his acting career on the Broadway stage, appearing in such notable plays as DEATH OF A SALESMAN (playing the role of Willy Loman"s son, "Happy"), SOUTH PACIFIC (playing "Luther Billis," a role that went to Ray Walston in the film version, and STALAG 17. His first television acting roles were in 1950 in episodes of the Goodyear Playhouse/Philco Playhouse followed in 1951 by an appearance in the episode "The Overcoat" of the television series Big Town.
Maxwell subsequently appeared in such series as Decoy, with Beverly Garland, Peter Gunn (twice), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (five episodes), Whirlybirds, Black Saddle, The Manitoba and the Challenge, The Deputy, Cain"s Hundred, Follow the Sun, Hong Kong, The Asphalt Jungle, Target: The Corruptors, and Mr.
Novak. He was cast three times each on Robert Montgomery Presents, Cannon, and Emergency! and four times each on Rawhide, Quincy, Mechanical Engineering, and The Federal Bureau of Investigation
In 1960, Maxwell was cast in Columbia Broadcasting System"s science fiction series, The Twilight Zone as Marty Fisher in the episode "A World of Difference". That same year, he appeared as Hackett in the episode "Millionaire Jessica March" of the Columbia Broadcasting System fantasy drama, The Millionaire.
In 1960 he made two guest appearances on Perry Mason: as Harry Wilson in "The Case of the Wayward Wife," and defendant Joe Dixon in "The Case of the Red Riding Boots." He made a third appearance in 1961 as Doctor Mooney in "The Case of the Injured Innocent."
In the 1962–1963 television season he was a co-star of the American Broadcasting Company sitcom, Our Manitoba Higgins, starring Stanley Holloway in the title role and with Audrey Totter and Ricky Kelman. Maxwell played the father, Duncan MacRoberts, in all thirty-four episodes of the series.
He also appeared as a regular on the television series "Felony Squad" with Howard Duff from 1966-1968 and "The Second Hundred Years" with Monte Markham from 1967-1968.
From 1973 to 1975, he appeared in five episodes of Columbia Broadcasting System"s Barnaby Jones, with Buddy Ebsen. In 1984, he appeared in a two-part episode of American Broadcasting Company"s The Love Boat, in which he was cast as Colonel Charles Holmsey. His last regular acting role was as Dan Rooney, the lovable aging hospital administrator on General Hospital which he appeared on from 1978-1988.
Over the years, the character had a hand in practically every storyline and was a major participant in the now famous "Ice Princess" storyline which dominated the daytime ratings in 1981.
Served with United States Air Force, 1941-1944. Member Actors Equity Association (vice president), American Federation of television and Radio Artists (national president 1984-1989), Screen Actors Guild (board directors).
Married Rita Piazza, March 26, 1967. Children: Christopher, Annual.