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