Frank Cady
Frank Cady (September 8, 1915 – June 8, 2012) was an American actor. His most famous role was general-store owner Sam Drucker, one of the less-nutty residents of Hooterville in both Green Acres (1965) and Petticoat Junction (1963). He had a history as a film, stage, and television actor long before those shows, and also appeared on some radio programs including Gunsmoke. In the 1950s, Cady played Doc Williams in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), along with numerous supporting parts in movies and also appeared in television commercials for (among other products) Shasta Grape Soda. Cady has been most prolific in television and was the only actor to play a recurring character on three TV sitcoms at the same time, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Green Acres (1965), and Petticoat Junction (1963). Usually cast as a gregarious small-town businessman, druggist, store clerk or other type of all-around Midwestern-type good guy, Cady was actually a California native, born in Susanville in 1915. The acting bug bit him when he sang in an elementary school play, and after graduating from Stanford University he headed to London, England, to train in the theater. When World War II broke out he was already in Europe, so he enlisted in the Army Air Force and spent the next several years in postings all over the continent. After his discharge he returned to the US and headed for Hollywood. An agent saw him in a local play, signed him, and he was on his way. One of his earlier--and more atypical--roles was as a seedy underworld character pulled in for questioning in a cop's murder in the noir classic He Walked by Night (1948), and he played a succession of hotel clerks, bureaucrats, henpecked husbands and the like for the next 40+ years. He did much television work from the mid-'50s onward. Cady resided in Wilsonville, Oregon and at the time of his death had two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Filmography
The History of Hooterville
as Self
The History of Hooterville
as Self
Return to Green Acres
as Sam Drucker
Return to Green Acres
as Sam Drucker
Soup and Me
as Mr. Sutter
Soup and Me
as Mr. Sutter
Hearts of the West
as Pa Tater
Hearts of the West
as Pa Tater
Zandy's Bride
as Pa Allan
Zandy's Bride
as Pa Allan
The Boy and the Bronc Buster
as Clothing Store Proprietor
The Boy and the Bronc Buster
as Clothing Store Proprietor
The Million Dollar Duck
as Assayer
The Million Dollar Duck
as Assayer
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
as Mayor James Sargent
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
as Mayor James Sargent
The Man Who Understood Women
as John Milstead
The Man Who Understood Women
as John Milstead
The Girl Most Likely
as Pop
The Girl Most Likely
as Pop
The Missouri Traveler
as Willie Poole
The Missouri Traveler
as Willie Poole
Three Violent People
as Doctor
Three Violent People
as Doctor
The Indian Fighter
as Trader Joe
The Indian Fighter
as Trader Joe
Trial
as Canford (uncredited)
Trial
as Canford (uncredited)
Rear Window
as Man on Fire Escape
Rear Window
as Man on Fire Escape
Marry Me Again
as Dr. Day
Marry Me Again
as Dr. Day
Half a Hero
as Mr. Watts
Half a Hero
as Mr. Watts
The Sellout
as Bennie Amboy
The Sellout
as Bennie Amboy
The Atomic City
as F.B.I. Agent George Weinberg
The Atomic City
as F.B.I. Agent George Weinberg
Let's Make It Legal
as Ferguson
Let's Make It Legal
as Ferguson
When Worlds Collide
as Harold Ferris
When Worlds Collide
as Harold Ferris
Ace in the Hole
as Mr. Federber
Ace in the Hole
as Mr. Federber
Dear Brat
as Parole Officer Creavy
Dear Brat
as Parole Officer Creavy
Lightning Strikes Twice
as Gas Station Man
Lightning Strikes Twice
as Gas Station Man
Hunt the Man Down
as Showbox Puppeteer (uncredited)
Hunt the Man Down
as Showbox Puppeteer (uncredited)
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
as Harry (uncredited)
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
as Harry (uncredited)
Experiment Alcatraz
as Max Henry
Experiment Alcatraz
as Max Henry
Three Husbands
as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Three Husbands
as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Dial 1119
as Fred Backett (uncredited)
Dial 1119
as Fred Backett (uncredited)
Pal, Fugitive Dog
as Doctor
Pal, Fugitive Dog
as Doctor
Pretty Baby
as Janitor (uncredited)
Pretty Baby
as Janitor (uncredited)
Convicted
as Eddie (uncredited)
Convicted
as Eddie (uncredited)
The Next Voice You Hear...
as Bald Plant Worker in Locker Room (uncredited)
The Next Voice You Hear...
as Bald Plant Worker in Locker Room (uncredited)
Father of the Bride
as Timid Engagement Party Guest (uncredited)
Father of the Bride
as Timid Engagement Party Guest (uncredited)
The Asphalt Jungle
as Night Clerk (uncredited)
The Asphalt Jungle
as Night Clerk (uncredited)
Perfect Strangers
as Geologist (uncredited)
Perfect Strangers
as Geologist (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
The Great Rupert
as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator
The Great Rupert
as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator
D.O.A.
as Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)
D.O.A.
as Eddie - Bartender (uncredited)
The Lady Takes a Sailor
as Mr. Wentworth (uncredited)
The Lady Takes a Sailor
as Mr. Wentworth (uncredited)
It's a Great Feeling
as Oculist (uncredited)
It's a Great Feeling
as Oculist (uncredited)
Take One False Step
as Reporter (uncredited)
Take One False Step
as Reporter (uncredited)
Flamingo Road
Flamingo Road
The Crooked Way
The Crooked Way
He Walked by Night
as Pete Hammond
He Walked by Night
as Pete Hammond
The Checkered Coat
as Skinner
The Checkered Coat
as Skinner