Frank McRae

For the Australian footballer, see Frank McRae (footballer).
Not to be confused with Frank McCrea.

Frank McRae
Born(1941-03-18)March 18, 1941
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedApril 29, 2021(2021-04-29) (aged 80)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1972–2006

Frank McRae (March 18, 1941 – April 29, 2021) was an American film and television actor[1][2] and a professional football player.[3][4]

Early life

McRae was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a double major in drama and history. He was a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears in the 1967 NFL season appearing in 6 games.

Career

Among his acting roles are bank robber Reed Youngblood in Dillinger (1973); a shouting police captain in 48 Hrs. (1982), a role he later parodied in Last Action Hero (1993) and Loaded Weapon 1 (1993); the history teacher, Mr. Teasdale, in Red Dawn (1984); James Bond's friend Sharkey in Licence to Kill (1989); and former professional boxing champion Harry Noble in Batteries Not Included (1987). He also appeared opposite Sylvester Stallone in 4 films: F.I.S.T. (1978), Paradise Alley (1978), Rocky II (1979), and Lock Up (1989), as well as a protective trucker in The Wizard (1989).

He made an effective pairing with John Candy as two bumbling subordinates; first as two tank soldiers (under an equally bumbling Sgt. Frank Tree played by Dan Aykroyd) in the film 1941 (1979), and later as a "Walley World" security guard in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). He further showed his comedic abilities as Jim the clumsy mechanic in the cult classic Used Cars (1980). His last role was Cookie in the Hallmark Channel original films Love's Long Journey and Love's Abiding Joy.

Death

On April 29, 2021, McRae died from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 80.[5]

Selected filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1972 Cool Breeze Barry, Mercer's Servant uncredited
1973 Shaft in Africa Osiat
Dillinger Reed Youngblood
1974 Bank Shot Hermann X
1975 Hard Times Hammerman
Walking Tall Part 2 Steamer Riley
1976 Pipe Dreams Moose
Tracks Train Coachman
1978 F.I.S.T. Lincoln Dombrowsky
Big Wednesday Sergeant
The End Male Nurse
Paradise Alley Big Glory
1979 Norma Rae James Brown
Rocky II Meat Foreman
1941 Pvt. Ogden Johnson Jones
1980 City in Fear Captain Madison
Used Cars Jim the Mechanic
1982 Cannery Row Hazel
48 Hrs. Captain Haden
1983 National Lampoon's Vacation Grover
1984 Red Dawn Mr. Teasdale
1987 Batteries Not Included Harry Noble
1989 Farewell to the King Tenga
Licence to Kill Sharkey
Lock Up "Eclipse"
The Wizard Spankey
1990 Another 48 Hrs. Captain Haden uncredited
1993 Loaded Weapon 1 Captain Doyle
Last Action Hero Lieutenant Dekker
1994 Lightning Jack Mr. Doyle
1997 The Killing Jar Det. Bernie Morris
1998 Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar Bruce McFee
1999 Hijack Roger Tate
2000 One Hell of a Guy Moe
G-Men from Hell Lester
2005 Love's Long Journey Cookie
2006 Love's Abiding Joy Cookie

References

  1. ^ "Frank McRae". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on October 18, 2008.
  2. ^ Marill, Alvin H. (October 1, 2010). Movies Made for Television, 2005-2009. Scarecrow Press. pp. 60–. ISBN 9780810876583. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  3. ^ "Frank McRae". NFL Player Profiles. Nfl.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  4. ^ Hibbin, Sally (1989). The Making of Licence to Kill. Salem House. pp. 56–. ISBN 9780881624533. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  5. ^ Bosselman, Hal (May 5, 2021). "Frank McRae, Actor in 'Licence to Kill' and 'Last Action Hero,' Dies at 80". Variety. Retrieved May 5, 2021.