Frank Faylen
ActingAbout Frank Faylen
Frank Faylen (born Francis Charles Ruf) was an American stage, screen, and television actor. He is best remembered for his movie performances as the cynical male nurse in The Lost Weekend (1945) and Ernie the taxi driver in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), as well as for his portrayal of long-suffering grocer Herbert T. Gillis on the 1950s television sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Frank Faylen reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Frank Faylen's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Frank Faylen remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in It's a Wonderful Life, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Frank Faylen Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Frank Faylen's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Frank Faylen.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Funny Girl | Keeney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | North to Alaska | Arnie (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Dino | Frank Mandel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Gunfight at the O.K. Corral | Sheriff Cotton Wilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Everything But the Truth | 'Mac' McMillan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Riot in Cell Block 11 | Commissioner Haskell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | 99 River Street | Stan Hogan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Lusty Men | Al Dawson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Sniper | Anderson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Detective Story | Det. Gallagher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Walter, room service waiter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Whispering Smith | Whitey Du Sang | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Hazard | Oscar | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Road to Rio | Trigger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Welcome Stranger | Bill Walters | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | California | Whitey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | It's a Wonderful Life | Ernie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Blue Dahlia | Man Recommending Motel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | To Each His Own | Babe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Lost Weekend | 'Bim' Nolan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | You Came Along | Bellboy (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Canterville Ghost | Lieutenant John Kane | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | And the Angels Sing | Holman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | A Guy Named Joe | Major (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Across the Pacific | Sidewalk Toy Vendor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Palm Beach Story | Taxi Driver (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Pride of the Yankees | Yankee Third Base Coach (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Maisie Gets Her Man | Stage Manager (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Yankee Doodle Dandy | Sergeant on Parade (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | H.M. Pulham, Esq. | Marine Sergeant (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | But! Boy (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Blossoms in the Dust | Man with Man Carrying Dead Child | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Reluctant Dragon | Orchestra Leader (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Footsteps in the Dark | Gus a Taxi Driver (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Come Live with Me | Waiter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | City for Conquest | Band Conductor and Emcee (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | They Drive by Night | Driver in Cafe (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | La Conga Nights | Jeepers Peepers | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Edison, the Man | Galbreath | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Curtain Call | Spike Malone | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Grapes of Wrath | Tim | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Castle on the Hudson | Guard Who is Slugged (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Gone with the Wind | Soldier Aiding Dr. Meade (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Lucky Night | Play Palace Announcer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Women in the Wind | Chuck - the Mechanic (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle | Adjutant (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Case of the Stuttering Bishop | Charlie Downs | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Kid Galahad | Barney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Bullets or Ballots | Gatley - Pinball Racketeer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Double Exposure | Press Photographer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Frank Faylen - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Frank Faylen?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Frank Faylen is "It's a Wonderful Life" with a rating of 8.3/10.
How many movies has Frank Faylen acted in?
Frank Faylen has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Frank Faylen?
Other notable films include "Everything But the Truth", "Hazard", and "Gone with the Wind".