Birth Day: 1917-12-22
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
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 .
Credits
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As Lester the Drunk -
As Self (archive footage) -
As Studio Guard -
As Delivery Man (uncredited) -
As Self (archive footage) -
As Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class Dooley -
As Robby the Robot (interior) (uncredited) -
As Jim Bascom -
As Clint Slocum -
As Caddy (uncredited) -
As Steve Loomis -
As Cadet (uncredited) -
As Jean's Awaiting Groom (uncredited) -
As Rufe -
As Jockey Williams -
As Gig Jackson -
As Bananas Stewart -
As Johnny Higgins -
As Ben Feathers -
As Roy Donne -
As Cousin Jimmy -
As Jimmy Easter -
As Jockey -
As Roy Donne -
As Roy Donne -
As Roy Donne -
As Roy Donne -
As Roy Donne -
As Radio Listener -
As Jack
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As Jack -
As Frankie O'Reilly -
As Frankie Monahan -
As Jack 'Sock' Anderson -
As Frankie O'Malley -
As Frankie Baxter -
As Frankie Kelly -
As Frankie 'Doc' Kelly -
As Jimmy O'Brien -
As Frankie Ryan -
As Lampwick (voice) (uncredited) -
As Tommy Ryan -
As Buzzy O'Brien -
As Stubby -
As Danny Murphy -
As 'Skipper' Murphy -
As Jerry -
As Louie Miller -
As Freddie Shields -
As "Dink" Reid -
As Mike Sanford -
As Lee -
As Dan Mallory -
As Dixie Gordon -
As James 'Jimmy' Forbush Tallant, Jr. -
As 'Tip' Collins, Jockey -
As Spike Salisbury (uncredited) -
As Frankie Reynolds -
As Self -
As 'Babyface' Madison -
As Clifford 'Fishtail' O'Reilly -
As Bob -
As Jimmy Moore -
As Frankie Baxter -
As Blackie -
As Johnny Morgan -
As Johnny -
As Slivers Sanderson -
As Charlie Anderson -
As James 'Jimmy' Rivers -
As Bobbie Riley -
As Knobby -
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As Dan -
As Norman Frink -
As Ted Williams -
As Feri Ats -
As Alec, as a Child -
As Chango -
As Eddie Smith -
As James 'Jimmie' Smith -
As Frank Courtney -
As Frankie Graham - The Wild Boy -
As Self (uncredited) -
As Pete Smith -
As Bobby (uncredited) -
As Self -
As Matt as a Boy (uncredited) -
As Jimmy Carter -
As Fedor as a Boy -
As Jimmie Williams -
As Robbie -
As Larry Claudet - as a Boy (uncredited) -
As Billy Ryan -
As Buddy
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As Jean Williams -
As Buddy Martin -
As Spuds O'Brien -
As Buddy -
As Mickey Grogan -
As Spuds -
As Sandy Barry -
As Alexis, King of Roxenburg -
As Tad Dennison -
As Boy who dances with Hertha (uncredited) -
As Frankie -
As Tim Marble
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As Birdie -
As Bobby -
As Pierre -
As Boy
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As Urchin -
As Billy Gordon -
As Barnie Finn -
As Young Davey -
As Prince Zara -
As Little Bill -
As Heath Twin -
As Jimmy Danton -
As Dirk DeJong (child) -
As Sonny Tolliver