Known For
Acting
Born
Dec 22, 1917
Died
Dec 25, 1976
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Credits
166 titles
Frankie Darro
Biography
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 .
Known For
Filmography
Fugitive Lovers
Lester the Drunk
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
The Girl on the Late, Late Show
Studio Guard
Hook, Line and Sinker
Delivery Man (uncredited)
The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)
Batman
Newsman
The Addams Family
Delivery Boy
Going My Way
Elevator Operator
The Notorious Landlady
Stunts
Mister Ed
Checkmate
Sonny
Operation Petticoat
Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley
Mr. Lucky
Bat Masterson
Edward 'Snapper' Garrison
Peter Gunn
Perry Mason
Elevator Operator
Have Gun, Will Travel
The Ten Commandments
Slave (uncredited)
Hey, Jeannie!
Caddy
Forbidden Planet
Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Little Dandy Dorf
Living It Up
Bellboy Captain (uncredited)
The Lawless Rider
Jim Bascom
Public Defender
Racing Blood
Ben
Two Gun Marshal
Clint Slocum
Pat and Mike
Caddy (uncredited)
Westward the Women
Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited)
Across the Wide Missouri
Cadet (uncredited)
The Red Skelton Show
Maw Kadiddlehopper
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
Pride of Maryland
Steve Loomis
Wyoming Mail
Rufe
The Next Voice You Hear...
Newsboy (uncredited)
Riding High
Jockey Williams
Sons of New Mexico
Gig Jackson
Hold That Baby!
Bananas Stewart
Fighting Fools
Johnny Higgins
Trouble Makers
Ben Feathers
Heart of Virginia
Jimmy Easter
Angels' Alley
Cousin Jimmy
Smart Politics
Roy Donne
That's My Man
Jockey
Sarge Goes to College
Roy Donne
Vacation Days
Roy Donne
High School Hero
Roy Donne
Freddie Steps Out
Roy Donne
Junior Prom
Roy Donne
Take It or Leave It
Radio Listener
Dead End Kids Go To War
Jack