Blonde, handsome, golden boy TV star of the 1960s and 70s. After a brief stint in summer stock, Franciscus made his feature debut in "Four Boys and a Gun" (1956). Although he appeared in several films during the 1960s and 70s (most notably as the title character in "Youngblood Hawke" 1964), he is best known for his work on four TV series: as the rookie detective on "Naked City" (1958-59), as the idealistic high school English teacher "Mr. Novak" (1963-65), the blind insurance investigator on "Longstreet" (1971-72), and the New York physician who retreats to the backwoods of Colorado, "Doc Elliot" (1973-74).
A "social register" blueblood, Franciscus twice portrayed Kennedyesque presidents, opposite Jacqueline Bisset in the 1978 feature "The Greek Tycoon" and the 1981 TV movie "Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy" opposite Jaclyn Smith. Later he turned to producing classics on TV ("Heidi", "The Red Pony", "Jane Eyre") and made occasional guest appearances on TV series before his death at 57 from emphysema.
- Also Credited As:
James Grover Franciscus
- Born:
January 31, 1934 in Clayton, Missouri
- Died:
July 8, 1991.
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Job Titles:
Actor, Playwright, Producer
Family
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Brother: John Fraciscus.
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Daughter: Corie Franciscus.
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Daughter: Jamie Franciscus.
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Daughter: Jolie Franciscus.
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Daughter: Kellie Franciscus.
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Mother: Loraine Franciscus.
Education
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Yale University, English and theater, BA, 1957
Milestones
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1957 Disney executive saw him in production of "The Great Gatsby" and asked him to read for a role in "A Light in the Forest"; didn't get part but signed for lead in the thriller "Four Boys and a Gun" (date approximate)
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1957 Feature acting debut, "Four Boys and a Gun"
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1958 Regular role on TV series, "Naked City"
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1961 Played insurance company investigator in short-lived TV series, "The Investigators"
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1968 Became vice president, producer of Omnibus Productions Inc. which he cofounded with with Fred Brogger
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1969 Produced TV special, "Heidi" (also acted)
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Acted in summer stock theater in Massachussetts
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First TV appearance as performer on "The General Electric Theater" (1953-1962)
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Played the title role in the ABC drama series, "Doc Elliot"
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Produced and scripted three plays while at Yale Drama School
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Starred as a high-school English teacher in TV series, "Mr. Novak"
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Starred in title role as a blind insurance investigator in "Longstreet"
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Started James Franciscus Celebrity Tennis Tournament to help victims of multiple sclerosis (a disease afflicting his mother) in the 1970s