22 Facts About Frank Morgan

Francis Phillip Wuppermann, known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor.

Frank Morgan was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with a career spanning 35 years mostly as a contract player at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with his most celebrated performance playing the title role in The Wizard of Oz.

Frank Morgan was briefly billed early in his career as Frank Wupperman and Francis Morgan.

Frank Morgan was the youngest of 11 children and had five brothers and five sisters.

Frank Morgan's mother was born in the United States, of English ancestry.

Frank Morgan's brother Ralph Morgan was an actor of stage and screen.

Frank Morgan starred with John Barrymore in Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman, an independent film produced in and about New York City.

In 1936 Frank Morgan played alongside Shirley Temple as Professor Appleby in Dimples.

Frank Morgan is best remembered for his performance in The Wizard of Oz, in which picture he played a total of six roles, most notably the Wizard, which included the carnival huckster "Professor Marvel", the gatekeeper at the Emerald City, the coachman of the carriage drawn by "The Horse of a Different Color", the Emerald City guard, and the Wizard's scary face projection.

An actor with a wide range, Frank Morgan was equally effective playing comical, befuddled men such as Jesse Kiffmeyer in Saratoga and Mr Ferris in Casanova Brown, as he was with more serious, troubled characters like Hugo Matuschek in The Shop Around the Corner, Professor Roth in The Mortal Storm and Willie Grogan in The Human Comedy.

Frank Morgan played a fire chief in his final picture, Key to the City, filmed in 1949 but released posthumously in 1950.

In 1947, Frank Morgan starred as the title character in the radio series The Fabulous Dr Tweedy.

Frank Morgan recorded a number of children's records, including the popular Gossamer Wump, released in 1949 by Capitol Records.

Frank Morgan married Alma Muller in 1914; they had one son, George.

Frank Morgan was widely known to be an alcoholic, according to several people who worked with him, including Margaret Hamilton and Aljean Harmetz.

Frank Morgan sometimes carried a black briefcase to work, fully equipped with a small mini-bar.

Frank Morgan's niece Claudia Frank Morgan was a stage and film actress, and his brother was playwright Carlos Wuppermann.

Frank Morgan died of a heart attack on September 18,1949, shortly after filming of Annie Get Your Gun had begun.

Frank Morgan was replaced in the role of Buffalo Bill by Louis Calhern.

Frank Morgan's tombstone carries his real name, Wuppermann, as well as his stage name.

Frank Morgan was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Best Actor in The Affairs of Cellini and one for Best Supporting Actor in Tortilla Flat.

Frank Morgan has two stars dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California: one for his films at 1708 Vine Street and one for his work in radio at 6700 Hollywood Boulevard.