Franklyn Seales facts for kids

Franklyn Seales (born July 15, 1952 – died May 14, 1990) was an American actor. He was known for his roles in movies and TV shows. Many people remember him as Dexter Stuffins in the 1980s TV show Silver Spoons. He also played Jimmy Lee Smith in the 1979 film The Onion Field.

Early Life and Education

Franklyn's Childhood and Family

Franklyn Vincent Ellison Seales was born on July 15, 1952. He was the fifth of eight children. His family lived in Calliaqua, a town in St. Vincent, West Indies. His father, Francis Seales, worked as a merchant seaman and for the government. His mother, Olive Seales, was a homemaker. Franklyn's family had a mix of backgrounds, including English, Scottish, African, Portuguese, and Native Caribbean roots.

Moving to New York City

In 1960, when Franklyn was eight years old, his family moved from the West Indies to New York City. They settled in Brooklyn. Franklyn attended Lincoln High School there.

Discovering Acting at Juilliard

Franklyn first wanted to study art at the Pratt Institute. However, in the early 1970s, he went with a friend to an audition at the Juilliard School. While helping his friend practice a scene from Romeo and Juliet, a famous actor and producer named John Houseman noticed Franklyn. Houseman was the director of Juilliard's drama division. He was so impressed that he offered Franklyn a four-year scholarship to study acting. Franklyn was the first person from St. Vincent known to graduate from Juilliard. He also studied with Houseman's acting group, The Acting Company.

Acting Career Highlights

Early Roles and Breakthroughs

Franklyn Seales began his acting career in 1978. His first big role was in the PBS drama Trial of the Moke. In this show, he played Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper, who was the first African-American graduate of West Point.

Notable Film Appearances

In 1979, Franklyn appeared in the film The Onion Field. He played the real-life character Jimmy Lee "Youngblood" Smith. That same year, he had a small part in the science fiction movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture. In 1981, he was in the film Southern Comfort, playing Rifleman Cleotis Simms.

Television Success with Silver Spoons

Franklyn became a familiar face on television. He joined the cast of the popular comedy show Silver Spoons in 1983. He played Dexter Stuffins, a business manager, until 1987. His co-star on the show was John Houseman, who had given him his scholarship at Juilliard. Franklyn also appeared in episodes of other TV shows like Hill Street Blues and Amen.

Stage Performances

In Los Angeles, Franklyn Seales joined a theater group called L.A. Theatre Works. He performed in many plays, including Conversation at Night With a Despised Character. A critic from the Los Angeles Times called him "one of America's most compelling stage actors." He also starred in Sade-Sack, or How to Live After the Asprocalisp and Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Franklyn performed in plays like No Place to Be Somebody, Hamlet, Babbitt, and Oh Dad Poor Dad.

Later Career and Other Talents

Franklyn's last major play was Nothing Sacred in October 1988. This play was based on the novel Fathers and Sons. Besides acting, Franklyn Seales was also a talented painter.

Later Life and Passing

Franklyn Seales started experiencing health issues in his later years. He was unable to work regularly for the last couple of years of his life. On May 14, 1990, Franklyn Seales passed away at the age of 37 due to health complications. He died at his family's home in Brooklyn. After his death, he was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in the Caribbean Sea.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Franklyn Seales para niños