Steve Franken (Chatsworth Osborne Jr.) 1932-2012 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-29-2012, 08:15 PM

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Steve Franken, a character actor specializing in comedy who appeared in films with Peter Sellers, Jerry Lewis and others, but was best known for playing the wealthy and snobbish Chatsworth Osborne Jr. on the hit sitcom “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis ,” died on Friday in Los Angeles. He was 80.

The cause was cancer, his wife, Jean, said.

Mr. Franken’s television and film career lasted more than 50 years. He was a frequent guest on popular shows like “Bewitched” and “Love, American Style,” and also appeared on “Mission: Impossible,” “Seinfeld” and many other series.

He acted in films with a long list of stars, including Peter Sellers in “The Party ” and “The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu”; Mr. Lewis in “Which Way to the Front? ” and “Hardly Working ”; Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson in “The Missouri Breaks ”; and James Garner and Julie Andrews in “The Americanization of Emily .”

But Mr. Franken first gained widespread attention on “Dobie Gillis,” which ran from 1959 to 1963. His character, Chatsworth, was a boastful rich kid who nonetheless was friendly with Dobie (Dwayne Hickman), a grocer’s son, and his beatnik friend, Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver).

Stephen Robert Franken was born on May 27, 1932, in Queens. He graduated from Cornell University and began acting in New York City in plays like “Inherit the Wind,” the fictionalized account of the Scopes trial. He landed the Chatsworth role after going to Los Angeles to be in José Ferrer’s production of “Edwin Booth,” in which he played a young version of the title character.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Franken is survived by their daughter, Anne; two daughters from his marriage to Julia Carter, which ended in divorce, Emily Franken and Abigail Glass; and two grandchildren.

70s show watcher · 08-30-2012, 07:58 AM

r i p mr franken

Marvo301 · 08-30-2012, 05:48 PM

Steve Franken

Ohio8 · 08-31-2012, 04:55 PM

He was in the "Follow that Witch" episode of 'Bewitched.'

faraj · 09-01-2012, 03:06 AM

And Cousin Henry on Bewitched too. I also started a thread of his passing in the Bewitched message board.

Ohio8 · 09-02-2012, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio8

He was in the "Follow that Witch" episode of 'Bewitched.'

Schmoopie · 09-02-2012, 03:07 AM

That's a shame and such a loss. I loved him as Chatsworth. He was a great actor.

howilu · 09-02-2012, 09:12 AM

My dad would always mistakenly refer to the character as Chatsworth Farnsworth. He was a popular character on the show. His mother was played by Doris Packer, who also portrayed the principal of Beaver's school on Leave it to Beaver, Mrs. Rayburn.

ZeldaGilroy · 09-17-2012, 01:50 AM

Sad news.

I haven't been on SO in a long time or I would have replied to this sooner. He was a terrific actor, and I loved him in a lot of things, but especially as Chatsworth. I particularly loved his portrayal of Chatsworth in the 1988 reunion movie...priceless how he managed to capture that character again so many years later.

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08-29-2012, 08:15 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Steve Franken (Chatsworth Osborne Jr.) 1932-2012 Link Steve Franken, a character actor specializing in comedy who appeared in films with Peter Sellers, Jerry Lewis and others, but was best known for playing the wealthy and snobbish Chatsworth Osborne Jr. on the hit sitcom “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis ,” died on Friday in Los Angeles. He was 80. The cause was cancer, his wife, Jean, said. Mr. Franken’s television and film career lasted more than 50 years. He was a frequent guest on popular shows like “Bewitched” and “Love, American Style,” and also appeared on “Mission: Impossible,” “Seinfeld” and many other series. He acted in films with a long list of stars, including Peter Sellers in “The Party ” and “The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu”; Mr. Lewis in “Which Way to the Front? ” and “Hardly Working ”; Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson in “The Missouri Breaks ”; and James Garner and Julie Andrews in “The Americanization of Emily .” But Mr. Franken first gained widespread attention on “Dobie Gillis,” which ran from 1959 to 1963. His character, Chatsworth, was a boastful rich kid who nonetheless was friendly with Dobie (Dwayne Hickman), a grocer’s son, and his beatnik friend, Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver). Stephen Robert Franken was born on May 27, 1932, in Queens. He graduated from Cornell University and began acting in New York City in plays like “Inherit the Wind,” the fictionalized account of the Scopes trial. He landed the Chatsworth role after going to Los Angeles to be in José Ferrer’s production of “Edwin Booth,” in which he played a young version of the title character. In addition to his wife, Mr. Franken is survived by their daughter, Anne; two daughters from his marriage to Julia Carter, which ended in divorce, Emily Franken and Abigail Glass; and two grandchildren.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

08-30-2012, 05:48 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Steve Franken
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-01-2012, 03:06 AM	#5
faraj Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 736	And Cousin Henry on Bewitched too. I also started a thread of his passing in the Bewitched message board.
	__________________ John

09-02-2012, 03:07 AM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's a shame and such a loss. I loved him as Chatsworth. He was a great actor.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-17-2012, 01:50 AM	#9
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	Sad news. I haven't been on SO in a long time or I would have replied to this sooner. He was a terrific actor, and I loved him in a lot of things, but especially as Chatsworth. I particularly loved his portrayal of Chatsworth in the 1988 reunion movie...priceless how he managed to capture that character again so many years later.
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

08-30-2012, 07:58 AM	#2
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	r i p mr franken

08-31-2012, 04:55 PM	#4
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,885	He was in the "Follow that Witch" episode of 'Bewitched.'

09-02-2012, 09:12 AM	#8
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	My dad would always mistakenly refer to the character as Chatsworth Farnsworth. He was a popular character on the show. His mother was played by Doris Packer, who also portrayed the principal of Beaver's school on Leave it to Beaver, Mrs. Rayburn.