June 28th, 1974 was a sad day for me as the man who portrayed my favorite tv character, Sgt Vincent Carter passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 50 while rehearsing for a dinner theater play in Louisiana.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/763/p4.JPG

Frank Sutton had great chemistry with Jim Nabors and was perfectly cast as Sgt. Carter. He was one of my favorites too. :rip: Frank Sutton. You are missed.

Frank Sutton & Dan Blocker (of Bonanza) were the first 2 actors from tv shows that I watched regularly, that I remember dying. I watched Gomer Pyle all the time back then and Frank Sutton did have a great chemistry with Jim Nabors. He could be tough one minute and a friend the next. And no matter how tough he seemed, you knew underneath he was a big softy. R.I.P. Frank. Your fans will always remember you.

Gomer Pyle USMC would of never had the success it had without Frank Sutton. (Sgt. Carter) Its really sad he had to die so young. Rest in peace Sgt.Carter!

Rest in peace.

I watched Gomer Pyle all the time back then and Frank Sutton did have a great chemistry with Jim Nabors. He could be tough one minute and a friend the next. And no matter how tough he seemed, you knew underneath he was a big softy. R.I.P. Frank. Your fans will always remember you.

Absolutely, I echo your comments. Frank Sutton and Jim Nabors had great chemistry together. The 1st season isn't that good, the 2nd season is when the show found it's groove and really started to click. Just too bad CBS had to ruin the DVD's, several episodes that contain music are edited.

The 1st season isn't that good.

The first season like all the others had it's share of weak and great episodes. "Survival of the Fattest" is my favorite of the 1st season and probably the entire series along with "Gomer the Welsh Rarebit Fiend" from season 3.

The first season like all the others had it's share of weak and great episodes. "Survival of the Fattest" is my favorite of the 1st season and probably the entire series along with "Gomer the Welsh Rarebit Fiend" from season 3.

The Welsh Rarebit episode is a classic. The 1st season isn't bad, but the actors hadn't fully developed their characters yet and the writing was hit or miss. In the 2nd season, the actors had settled into their roles and the writing was more consistent, everything started falling into place.

The first season like all the others had it's share of weak and great episodes. "Survival of the Fattest" is my favorite of the 1st season and probably the entire series along with "Gomer the Welsh Rarebit Fiend" from season 3.

Although I haven't seen every episode of this show, I'll have to agree that "Gomer the Welsh Rarebit Fiend" is my favorite episode of this series. I loved seeing the personality reversal between Gomer & Sgt. Carter there.

I've gotten to see Frank Sutton a couple times on MeTV the last couple weeks, first on Love American Style ("Love and the Guru"), where it was fun seeing him play someone looser than Sgt. Carter, and earlier today on Gomer Pyle USMC ("Opie Joins the Marines"), where he ultimately softened and took Opie into his barracks at risk of his own career.

He died just weeks before another actor known for playing tough, frequently-angry characters, Joe Flynn. Both men were great at playing characters who were tough but still likeable.

Taken way too young.

Taken way too young.

He was really good on that show. I think he did himself in. I read between scenes he would constantly chain-smoke and drink coffee.

I know it just a show, but Sergeant Carter in ever episode is hollering at Gomer. I hope that the hollering didn't wear his heart out.

Very sad; he died so young. And he was great as Gomer’s Sarge.

I know it just a show, but Sergeant Carter in ever episode is hollering at Gomer. I hope that the hollering didn't wear his heart out.

I remember one episode, probably due to a bet with Hacker, Carter had all this anger so pent up, he had to go up to a mountain and holler his head off.

Maybe it wasn't all acting--so I agree with you.

To me he made this show. What a funny guy!

June 28th, 1974 was a sad day for me as the man who portrayed my favorite tv character, Sgt Vincent Carter passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 50 while rehearsing for a dinner theater play in Louisiana.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/763/p4.JPG

Only 50, way too young.

I wonder what would have been in store for him (and us, his fans) over the coming years if he'd survived.

He was really good on that show. I think he did himself in. I read between scenes he would constantly chain-smoke and drink coffee.

He did seem pretty high strung, and not just acting.

Smoking was so in in the early part of last century. I see Perry Mason and the characters are smoking. I somewhat cringe knowing how bad it is to smoke.

He will be a hundred years old next year (2023).

It is interesting because I am not five years older than him from when he died and for myself (to my shame) hasnt really taken care of myself to where I should. Maybe Sutton did and died anyway. 50 is too young. People are expected to live until at least 70 if not above. My father will be 90 in a couple of weeks so he would have been old enough to be Sutton's grandfather. My father mostly took care of his health although he had a bout with cancer in his late 60's (he never smoked and rarely drank, as in one beer and done)

It is a tragedy about Sutton because he could have been a character actor in a lot of shows and maybe would be in some military films. I will say he did suffer some, but just a little before he went. He didnt have cancer or some lingering illnesss that took his life one by one.

For me when growing up, Frank Sutton WAS Vincent Carter. And then later remembering him in a few eps of Love American Style, but by then it was always "look, it's Sgt Carter"


Only in the past few years have I been noticing him in a variety of other roles, and it's interesting seeing him out (from my perspective) of character.

He obviously put a lot of effort into being Sgt Carter.

As far as his personal life's decisions,....well, I really think the important thing was that he be happy being who he was. Only the good die young.