Randall Franks

Randall Franks is an American film and television actor, author, and a bluegrass singer and musician who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and mountain dulcimer. He was inducted into the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013; recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum in 2010 as a Bluegrass Legend; inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004; and was designated the "Appalachian Ambassador of the Fiddle".

After taking a hiatus (2001-2009) from film and dramatic television, he returned in 2009 as attorney Alvin Potter for Robert Townsend's Musical Theater of Hope.

Franks came to television as a youth performing on variety shows as a musician and singer. Franks began his movie career in 1988 with a singing role in the movie Desperate For Love appearing with Christian Slater, Brian Bloom and Tammy Lauren. Like many actors his early appearances were in bit roles such as a sports reporter in "Blind Side" in 1988 and as a wealthy wrestling enthusiast in Hulk Hogan's "No Holds Barred" before landing his break through role on network television on "In the Heat of the Night."

Best known as:

Other roles:

Franks hosted and directed the PBS documentary Still Ramblin' highlighting the life of Georgia singing cowboy and early Grand Ole Opry star Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott. He served as an Appalachian musician consultant for the 2012 feature Lawless. Franks shares memories, musical performances, visits to movie sets and premieres from his career on his YouTube channel - Randall Franks TV. He appeared on numerous shows as a musical artist, some among them are: the Country Kids TV Series, Tonight at Ferlinghetti's (PBS 1985-87), Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, Miller & Company, Reno's Old Time Music Festival, and HGTV's Extreme Homes.

Franks 2016 book, "Encouragers III: A Guiding Hand" is the third volume in a three-book series highlighting actors, entertainers and everyday folks who have played a role in his life. The 448-page book includes over 58 stories and 395 photos including special Moments in Time photos featuring over 125 stars from Dean Cain to Dolly Parton and Jeff Foxworthy to Third Day from Randall’s personal collection and 72 celebrity, family and friend recipes.

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