Robert Francis (actor)
| Robert Francis | |
|---|---|
in 1955
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|
| Born |
Robert Charles Francis February 26, 1930 Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 31, 1955 (aged 25) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Airplane crash |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1954–1955 |
Robert Charles Francis (February 26, 1930 – July 31, 1955) was an American actor. He appeared in only four Hollywood films, all with military themes, before his career and life were cut short at the age of 25 in the crash of a small airplane he was piloting.
Robert Charles Francis was born in Glendale, California in 1930. His parents, James and Lillian Francis, ran a family pharmacy. He was the youngest by 10 years of three children. He was a conscientious student and an excellent skier, so much so that throughout the majority of his teenage years he had aspirations to join the U.S. Olympic team. However his career prospects soon changed as, while tanning himself on a Santa Monica beach, he was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout who persuaded him that with his handsome, all-American looks he should try to become an actor.
He graduated from Pasadena City College in 1947, after which he soon began to take acting classes in order to work on his skills. However, they were interrupted when he had to spend two years in the army. He resumed his classes after he was discharged from the army. He attended the Batomi Schneider Drama Workshop, which led to a screen test for Columbia Pictures. It just so happened that the husband of his acting coach worked at Columbia. He thought that Francis would be of interest to the studio's founder Harry Cohn. Cohn was on the look out for a new male lead. Francis's manner had always been quiet and respectful unlike James Dean and Marlon Brando. It was these personal traits that appealed to Cohn, who was known for demanding obedience from his stars and staff. Although he tended to play reserved characters, they were often very rebellious in their approach. On the strength of his screen test he earned a contract and the pivotal role in The Caine Mutiny.
He began a keen interest in flying in his early twenties and it was this passion that brought him to the attention of Howard Hughes. They shared their interest and frequently went flying together, with Francis most likely to be at the controls of Hughes' planes. The amount of time spent flying together soon was reduced once Cohn offered Francis a contract with his studio.
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