Frank Spencer Sutton (October 23, 1923 - June 28, 1974) was an American actor who is best remembered for his role as the loud, hard-nosed drill instructor Sergeant Vincent Carter on the CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Sutton was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1923. When he was eight years old, his father took a position as a linotype operator at the Nashville Tennessean in Nashville. While growing up in Nashville, he developed an interest in acting, earning his first role at the age of nine. He later commented, "The first time I walked out on a stage, I had a warm feeling. I knew then I wanted to be an actor." However, the joy of learning his new craft was diminished during this time by the death of his father.
After Sutton graduated from East Nashville High School, he returned to Clarksville to become a radio disc jockey, then enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, and after basic training, was sent to the South Pacific, taking part in 14 assault landings.
Upon his release from the service, he made his professional debut in a Pennsylvania stock company production of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" in 1947. In 1949, he married Toby Igler. He then attended Columbia University, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in drama in 1952.
Throughout the next decade, he played small roles in such television shows as Route 66, Naked City, The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables, often playing characters much older. He had a continuing role as Cadet Eric Rattison, the great rival of the "Polaris Unit" manned by the series' heroes, in TV's Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, from 1950 to 1955. In 1955, he received his big break in the Academy Award-winning movie Marty, playing the role of the title character's best friend, Ralph. He also had a role in The Satan Bug, a 1965 spy thriller.
After returning to the stage in The Andersonville Trial in the early 1960s, Sutton then achieved lasting recognition when he landed the role of Sergeant Carter on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show entitled "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." in 1964. This episode led to a spin-off television series of the same name, where Sutton continued the role for five seasons, until the show ended its run in 1969. During the run of the show, he was made an honorary sergeant by the U.S. Marine Corps in recognition of his entertainment performances at camps, hospitals and bases. He also appeared in public service announcements in the role of Sergeant Carter.
His friendship with co-star Jim Nabors continued when Nabors hosted a variety of series beginning in 1969, and lasted into the 1970s.
After Gomer Pyle, Sutton went on to perform in dinner theater, playing, among other roles, the father in Norman, Is That You? and made guest appearances on other television programs. While preparing for a performance of the comedy Luv at the Beverly Barn Dinner Playhouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, he died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 50.
Actor Ronnie Schell, who portrayed Duke Slater on the Gomer Pyle show related in a DVD voice-over that Sutton smoked 17 Brazilian cigars every day and drank approximately 18 cups of coffee. These remarks were made on the commentary track for the episode "Gomer And The Dragon Lady," from Season 1. He was, according to Schell, very much a type A personality.
Sutton was buried in his hometown of Clarksville.
Trivia
Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (May 2008)
On "Gomer Pyle USMC" , Sergeant Carter's mortal enemy was Mess Staff Sergeant Hacker, played by Allan Melvin. In one episode Hacker and Carter are nearly driven crazy when they have to search 600 loaves of bread after Gomer purportedly drops a friend's wedding ring in the bread dough before mess call.
In the series Sergeant Carter was a Korean War Veteran; as noted above Frank Sutton served in World War II.
References
^ Great Character Actors Web site: Sutton, Frank: http://www.dougmacaulay.com/kingspud/sel_by_actor_index_2.php?actor_first=Frank&actor_last=Sutton
External links
Frank Sutton at the Internet Movie Database
Find A Grave Entry
Obituary on National Obituary Archive
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sutton"
Categories: 1923 births | 1974 deaths | American actors | American military personnel of World War II | American television actors | People from Tennessee | People from Clarksville, Tennessee | Tennessee actors | Deaths by myocardial infarction | United States Army soldiersHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | Articles with trivia sections from May 2008
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