name of the gardener on the show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 02-26-2001, 10:04 AM

Somebody e-mailed me this question, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

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Do you know the name of the gardener on Father Knows Best. And who played him.

Thank you so much for your help

Debbie

twinkle44301 · 03-25-2001, 12:24 AM

I seem to remember his character name as "Frank" but was pronounced Fraunk.

rogerQ · 04-03-2001, 10:20 PM

His real name was Natividad Vacio, and he played Frank Smith on the series. His Spanish pronunciation was "Fronk" . He was great actor in a great series!!

CanICallYouDad · 09-13-2017, 08:02 PM

That was a horrible episode

stevea · 09-13-2017, 08:15 PM

There were several episodes with him, and they were definitely not stand-out episodes. He was definitely played stereotypical. In one of the later episodes the head of a committee (for a ceremony involving the visiting governor) said he could not imagine allowing Frank to give something to the governor (I don't remember the exact details)(the committee head was played by David White, later Larry Tate on Bewitched). Discrimination, pure and simple. But Jim intervened, and the ceremony went well.

PhoenixAcres · 09-13-2017, 08:34 PM

Frank was definitely my favorite recurring character on the show. I wish he would have made more appearances.

MichaelMartinD · 01-18-2018, 10:38 AM

The character of "Fronk" was played with a broad accent and mannerisms. Such a portrayal of a Hispanic gardener would not fly today, but Fronk was a sympathetic and fun character. The actor who played him was Mexican-American.

02-26-2001, 10:04 AM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,669	name of the gardener on the show? Somebody e-mailed me this question, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks. ------------- Do you know the name of the gardener on Father Knows Best. And who played him. Thank you so much for your help Debbie

09-13-2017, 08:02 PM	#4
CanICallYouDad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 12, 2013 Location: Meeechigan Posts: 233	That was a horrible episode
	__________________ We got 4 channels. 2, 4, 7 and 9. Loved turning that dial as fast as I could.

03-25-2001, 12:24 AM	#2
twinkle44301 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2001 Posts: 351	I seem to remember his character name as "Frank" but was pronounced Fraunk.

04-03-2001, 10:20 PM	#3
rogerQ Member Forum Cub Join Date: Apr 10, 2001 Location: Kennewick, Wa. usa Posts: 2	His real name was Natividad Vacio, and he played Frank Smith on the series. His Spanish pronunciation was "Fronk" . He was great actor in a great series!!

09-13-2017, 08:15 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,488	There were several episodes with him, and they were definitely not stand-out episodes. He was definitely played stereotypical. In one of the later episodes the head of a committee (for a ceremony involving the visiting governor) said he could not imagine allowing Frank to give something to the governor (I don't remember the exact details)(the committee head was played by David White, later Larry Tate on Bewitched). Discrimination, pure and simple. But Jim intervened, and the ceremony went well.

09-13-2017, 08:34 PM	#6
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Frank was definitely my favorite recurring character on the show. I wish he would have made more appearances.

01-18-2018, 10:38 AM	#7
MichaelMartinD Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 23, 2013 Posts: 575	The character of "Fronk" was played with a broad accent and mannerisms. Such a portrayal of a Hispanic gardener would not fly today, but Fronk was a sympathetic and fun character. The actor who played him was Mexican-American.