Frank Morgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Morgan
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Morgan in the 1940s
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| Born |
Francis Phillip Wuppermann
June 1, 1890 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | September 18, 1949 (aged 59) |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery |
| Other names |
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| Alma mater | Cornell University |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1914–1949 |
| Spouse(s) |
Alma Muller
(m. 1914) |
| Children | 1 |
Frank Morgan (born Francis Phillip Wuppermann on June 1, 1890 – died September 18, 1949) was a famous American actor. He is best known for playing the main role in The Wizard of Oz (1939). In that movie, he played not just the Wizard, but five other characters too! He acted in films for 35 years, starting in the silent movie era.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Frank Morgan was born in New York City on June 1, 1890. His parents were Josephine Wright and George Diogracia Wuppermann. Frank was the youngest of 11 children, with five brothers and five sisters. His father was from Venezuela but grew up in Germany, and had German and Spanish family roots. His mother was from the United States and had English family roots.
Frank's family became wealthy by selling a product called Angostura bitters. This allowed him to go to Cornell University. His brother, Ralph Morgan, also became a well-known actor.
Acting Career
Frank Morgan started his acting career in silent films around 1916. When movies with sound, called "talkies," became popular, his career really took off.
Movies
Frank Morgan often played kind, but sometimes confused, middle-aged men. However, he also played romantic lead roles in movies like When Ladies Meet (1933).
The movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was very impressed with Frank Morgan. In the mid-1930s, they gave him a special contract that lasted for his whole career. In 1936, he acted with Shirley Temple in the movie Dimples.
The Wizard of Oz
Frank Morgan is most famous for his amazing performance in The Wizard of Oz. In this classic film, he played six different characters! These included:
- The Wizard himself
- The carnival seller "Professor Marvel"
- The gatekeeper at the Emerald City
- The coachman of the carriage pulled by "The Horse of a Different Color"
- The Emerald City guard
- The scary face of the Wizard
Another famous actor, W. C. Fields, was first considered for the Wizard's role. But the studio chose Frank Morgan instead.
Other Films
Frank Morgan was a very versatile actor, meaning he could play many different types of roles. He was great at playing funny, confused characters, like Jesse Kiffmeyer in Saratoga (1937). He could also play more serious characters, like Hugo Matuschek in The Shop Around the Corner (1940).
In the 1940s, Frank Morgan appeared in many different kinds of movies. He acted alongside big stars like Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Claudette Colbert in Boom Town. He also played a jungle doctor in White Cargo and a king in The Three Musketeers. His last movie was Key to the City, which came out after he passed away in 1950.
Radio Shows
Frank Morgan was also popular on the radio. In the 1940s, he had a show called Maxwell House Coffee Time with Fanny Brice. On the show, Frank would tell funny, exaggerated stories about his life. When Fanny Brice left to start her own show, Frank continued with The Frank Morgan Show. He also recorded children's records, including a popular one called Gossamer Wump.
Personal Life and Passing
Frank Morgan married Alma Muller in 1914, and they had one son named George. They were married until Frank's death in 1949. Frank's niece, Claudia Morgan, was also an actress.
Frank Morgan passed away from a heart attack on September 18, 1949. This happened shortly after he started filming a movie called Annie Get Your Gun. Another actor, Louis Calhern, took over his role. Frank Morgan is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. His tombstone shows both his real name, Wuppermann, and his acting name, Frank Morgan.
Awards and Recognition
Frank Morgan was nominated for two Academy Awards, which are very important movie awards. He was nominated for Best Actor for The Affairs of Cellini (1934) and for Best Supporting Actor for Tortilla Flat (1942).
He also has two stars on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. One star is for his work in movies, and the other is for his work in radio. Both stars were placed on February 8, 1960.
Images for kids
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Frank Morgan in the 1940s
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Morgan and Madge Kennedy in Baby Mine (1917)
See also
In Spanish: Frank Morgan para niños
- List of actors with Academy Award nominations
