Frank Aletter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frank George Aletter
Doro Merande, Frank Aletter, and Enid Markey from the sitcom Bringing Up Buddy
Born	(1926-01-14)January 14, 1926 College Point, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Died	May 13, 2009(2009-05-13) (aged 83) Tarzana, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1955–1991
Spouse(s)	Lee Meriwether ​ ​ (m. 1958; div. 1974)​
Children	2

Frank George Aletter (born January 14, 1926 – died May 13, 2009) was an American actor. He performed in theatre, film, and television shows. He was known for his roles in many popular TV series during the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Training

Frank Aletter was born in College Point, Queens, New York. He studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in Manhattan. From 1946 to 1948, he served in the United States Army in Germany.

Acting Career Highlights

Frank Aletter began his acting career on Broadway. In 1950, he made his debut in the play Mister Roberts. He also appeared in other Broadway shows like Bells Are Ringing.

Television Roles

Aletter became a very busy actor in television. He appeared as a guest star on many shows from 1956 to 1988. In the 1960s, he had main roles in three TV series.

One of his first big roles was in Bringing Up Buddy. This sitcom aired during the 1960–1961 season. Frank Aletter played Buddy Flower, a stockbroker. His character lived with his two overprotective aunts, played by Enid Markey and Doro Merande.

He also appeared in an episode of Lucille Ball's The Lucy Show in 1962. He played Dr. Sam Eastman, a doctor who loved classical music. His wife, Lee Meriwether, who was a former Miss America, even guest-starred on Bringing Up Buddy.

Frank Aletter was in two episodes of Perry Mason. In 1963, he played Harry Collins in "The Case of the Skeleton's Closet." He also played Tommy Towne in "The Case of the Arrogant Arsonist" in 1964.

In 1963, he co-starred in The Twilight Zone episode called "The Parallel". He also had a regular role in It's About Time from 1966 to 1967.

From 1968 to 1970, he played Professor Irwin Hayden in Danger Island. This was a live-action adventure series shown on The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. In 1970, he had a supporting role in the sitcom Nancy.

Later, he appeared in popular sitcoms like Maude and All in the Family. In 1978, he played Mr. Prescott in "The Commercial" episode of All in the Family. He also played Harry, a man engaged to Blanche in the first episode of The Golden Girls.

Movie Appearances

Frank Aletter also acted in several movies. Some of his film roles include Mister Roberts (1955), A Tiger Walks (1964), and Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970).

Personal Life

On April 20, 1958, Frank Aletter married actress Lee Meriwether. She was a former Miss America. They had two daughters, Kyle Aletter-Oldham and Lesley Aletter, who also became actresses. Frank and Lee divorced in 1974.

Later Years and Passing

Frank Aletter was involved with the Screen Actors Guild, which is a union for actors. He was elected as a vice president in 1987.

Frank Aletter passed away on May 13, 2009, at the age of 83. He died from cancer at his home in Tarzana, California.

Filmography