Frank Fay was an American actor who is best known for God’s Gift to Women, Nothing Sacred, and The Matrimonial Bed. Born on November 17, 1891, in San Francisco, California, he had a notable career in vaudeville and film.
Personal and Family Life
Frank Fay was married several times, including to famous actress Barbara Stanwyck from 1928 to 1935. Their relationship, marked by fame and struggles, contributed to the storyline of the classic film A Star Is Born. Though he had a successful start, Fay battled alcoholism, which affected his career and personal life.
Death and Legacy
Frank Fay passed away on September 25, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, due to a ruptured abdominal aorta. A week before his death, he was hospitalized and pronounced legally incompetent. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a talented performer and a troubled individual.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Sacred | 1937-11-25 | Master of Ceremonies |
| Love Nest | 1951-10-10 | Charles Kenneth ‘Charley’ Patterson |
| They Knew What They Wanted | 1940-10-19 | Father McKee |
| A Fool’s Advice | 1932-02-20 | Spencer Brown |
| Bright Lights | 1930-09-21 | Wally Dean |
| I Want a Divorce | 1940-09-20 | Jeff Gilman |
| God’s Gift to Women | 1931-04-13 | Toto Duryea |
| The Matrimonial Bed | 1930-08-01 | Leopold Trebel/Adolphe Noblet |
| Show of Shows | 1929-11-21 | Master of Ceremonies |
| Under a Texas Moon | 1930-04-01 | Don Carlos |
| Stars Over Broadway | 1935-11-23 | Announcer |
| Spotlight Scandals | 1943-09-24 | Frank Fay |
| The Stolen Jools | 1931-04-04 | Frank Fay |
| Round About Hollywood | 1931-05-22 | Self |
| Stout Hearts and Willing Hands | 1931-06-15 | |
| Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line | 1997-05-12 | Self (archive footage) |
| Iconic Couples of Hollywood: Barbara Stanwyck & Robert Taylor | Himself | |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self |