Prolific character actor Steve Franken died on August 24 of cancer at age 80. Official news reports are pending, but his passing was revealed by Stu Shostak (
Shokus Radio) on Facebook, via Franken's friend and former costar Dwayne Hickman.
Franken never became a household name, falling into the
"Oh, that guy!" category of familiar faces, mostly on television. He costarred on THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS (1959 - 1963) as 'Chatsworth Osborne Jr.', the rich-guy nemesis of Dobie, with Dwayne Hickman, Bob Denver, Frank Faylen and Tuesday Weld. He worked consistently over the years, and is usually recognized as a frequent guest actor on BEWITCHED. In a 1967 BATMAN two-parter he played the valet of an eccentric inventor, basing the character on Stan Laurel. Later in his career he segued into voice acting, but still turned up on shows like SEINFELD, ER and as one of the Vatican Cardinals in Ron Howard's ANGELS & DEMONS (2009).
A career highlight was costarring in Blake Edwards' THE PARTY (1968) with Peter Sellers. As the inebriated waiter, Franken stole the dinner party scene from Sellers. Steve also costarred in Jerry Lewis'
WHICH WAY TO THE FRONT? (1970), a Joe Besser solo credit.
THE PARTY (1968)BEWITCHED Samantha's Shopping Spree (1969)WHICH WAY TO THE FRONT? (1970)
