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Frank Wolff (actor)

December 15, 2023

Walter Frank Hermann Wolff (May 11, 1928 – December 12, 1971) was an American actor whose film career began with roles in five 1958–61 Roger Corman productions and ended a decade later in Rome, after many appearances in European-made films, most of which were lensed in Italy.[1]

Frank Wolff
Born
Walter Frank Hermann Wolff

(1928-05-11)May 11, 1928
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, 1971(1971-12-12) (aged 43)
Rome, Italy
Years active1958–1971

Early life edit

A native of San Francisco, California, Wolff was the son of a Bay Area physician. Both parents were of German descent. The elder Wolff, a political and social maverick, encouraged young Frank to follow an unconventional path. He attended University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied acting and stagecraft, wrote and directed plays and befriended another actor/director, Monte Hellman. Between 1957 and 1961, he appeared in nearly 20 episodes of TV series and feature films, a few of which fit into the horror/science fiction genre.

Career with Roger Corman edit

Wolff had bit roles in his first two films, Roger Corman's I Mobster and The Wasp Woman. The former, a 1958 black-and-white gangster melodrama in which Wolff does not even receive a billing, was presented as a first-person narrative by the title character, Murder, Inc. (fictional) boss Joe Sante (Steve Cochran). The latter, Wolff's first genre film, was a typically campy horror, filmed in 1959, in which the owner of a cosmetics business (Susan Cabot) becomes the titular monster after using one of her own experimental rejuvenating formulas. Wolff has a single, memorable scene.

Later in the year, however, Wolff's billing dramatically increased to co-lead status in his next two Corman productions, scripted by Charles B. Griffith, Beast from Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack. Shot back-to-back in the snowy wilderness outside Deadwood, South Dakota, the films used the same crew and cast, which, in addition to Wolff, included Michael Forest, Wally Campo, Richard Sinatra (Frank's nephew) and Sheila Carol. The first of the two, Beast, directed for Corman by Wolff's UCLA friend, Monte Hellman, remains a well-remembered low-budget horror title, with a spider-like creature menacing a trio of robbers, led by Wolff, trapped in a ski lodge. In contrast, the equally poverty-budgeted Attack, on which Corman himself took over the directorial reins, turned out to be a little-noticed World War II quickie in which a quartet of GIs on skis slog through a snowbound landscape. The group's leader, a tall, stalwart lieutenant (Michael Forest), who played a similarly characterized forest ranger in Beast, is continually challenged by the disdainful sergeant (Wolff). Beast was first shown in October 1959, but eventually paired on a double bill with The Wasp Woman which, in line with the other films' Dakota link, premiered in Bismarck, North Dakota, on February 12, 1960. The previous month, Wolff was seen in three TV appearances, The Untouchables (January 7), The Lawless Years (January 19) and Rawhide (January 29). He also had the third-billed role of Baron, a nightclub owner who refuses to give another chance to alcoholic trumpet player Jack Klugman in The Twilight Zone episode "A Passage for Trumpet", broadcast on May 20.

In 1958, he appeared with another guest star, Strother Martin, in the episode "Pete Henke" of the NBC western series, Jefferson Drum, starring Jeff Richards as a crusading newspaper editor.[citation needed]

Moving to Europe edit

 
Wolff in God Forgives... I Don't! (1967)

In autumn 1960, Wolff traveled to Greece to co-star in another Roger Corman-directed, Charles B. Griffith-scripted low-budgeter, Atlas (released in May 1961). The title role was again assigned to the brawny Corman regular, Michael Forest, while the female lead went to Barboura Morris who, between 1957 and 1967, worked exclusively for Corman, appearing in thirteen of his films, including The Wasp Woman. In Atlas, Wolff was cast as the treacherous King Praximedes, a scene-stealing lead villain who was singled out by the few critics who reviewed the film. Sporting a short beard, Praximedes was alternately charming, witty, overbearing and menacing.

On Corman's advice, Wolff remained in Europe and became a well-known character actor in over fifty, mostly Italian-made, films of the 1960s, including crime/suspense "gialli" and Spaghetti Westerns. Early in his European career, he returned to Greece to essay a major, second-billed role in his most prestigious movie, the 1963 "Best Picture" Oscar nominee America, America, which producer-director-writer Elia Kazan filmed on location. As Vartan Damadian, the Armenian friend of the central character, played by Stathis Giallelis, a heavily mustached Wolff assayed a complex, multi-layered personality.

Wolff's numerous Italian films of the 1960s included The Four Days of Naples, Salvatore Giuliano, Il demonio, La morte risale a ieri sera, The Great Silence, God Forgives... I Don't!, One Dollar Too Many, and Once Upon a Time in the West. He was also seen in a few episodes of British-produced TV series, such as The Saint and The Baron.

Death edit

Wolff committed suicide by cutting his throat in the bathroom of a residence in his Rome hotel room, a few steps from the Hilton hotel, at the age of 43 on December 12, 1971.[2] Long the victim of a deep depressive crisis, the actor was separated from his wife Alice Campbell, who lived like him in Rome. According to one hypothesis, Wolff would have injured himself for the first time with a razor blade. Having dropped the blade from his hand, the actor would have taken a second one, with which he would have cut the carotid artery. This second injury caused a cerebral anemia that led to his death in a short time.[3]

His body was found by a 24-year-old Austrian friend on the same day, and police said he had slashed his throat.[4] It was speculated that the unrequited love for the young woman might have contributed to Wolff's fatal act, already suffering from a nervous breakdown for some time, after his wife had left him for another man.[3]

His final two Italian-made films, Milan Caliber 9 and When Women Lost Their Tails were released posthumously in 1972. His voice in the English-language version of Milan Caliber 9 was dubbed in by his frequent co-star and roommate at the time of his death Michael Forest.

Selected filmography edit

References edit

  1. ^ . Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2014. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014.
  2. ^ . Movie OK!!!. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
  3. ^ a b . l'Unità (in Italian). p. 8. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Frank Wolff Dies; Screen Actor, 43". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 13, 1971. p. 42.

External links edit

December 15, 2023
frank, wolff, actor, walter, frank, hermann, wolff, 1928, december, 1971, american, actor, whose, film, career, began, with, roles, five, 1958, roger, corman, productions, ended, decade, later, rome, after, many, appearances, european, made, films, most, which. Walter Frank Hermann Wolff May 11 1928 December 12 1971 was an American actor whose film career began with roles in five 1958 61 Roger Corman productions and ended a decade later in Rome after many appearances in European made films most of which were lensed in Italy 1 Frank WolffWolff in Death Walks on High Heels 1971 BornWalter Frank Hermann Wolff 1928 05 11 May 11 1928San Francisco California U S DiedDecember 12 1971 1971 12 12 aged 43 Rome ItalyYears active1958 1971 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career with Roger Corman 3 Moving to Europe 4 Death 5 Selected filmography 6 References 7 External linksEarly life editA native of San Francisco California Wolff was the son of a Bay Area physician Both parents were of German descent The elder Wolff a political and social maverick encouraged young Frank to follow an unconventional path He attended University of California Los Angeles where he studied acting and stagecraft wrote and directed plays and befriended another actor director Monte Hellman Between 1957 and 1961 he appeared in nearly 20 episodes of TV series and feature films a few of which fit into the horror science fiction genre Career with Roger Corman editWolff had bit roles in his first two films Roger Corman s I Mobster and The Wasp Woman The former a 1958 black and white gangster melodrama in which Wolff does not even receive a billing was presented as a first person narrative by the title character Murder Inc fictional boss Joe Sante Steve Cochran The latter Wolff s first genre film was a typically campy horror filmed in 1959 in which the owner of a cosmetics business Susan Cabot becomes the titular monster after using one of her own experimental rejuvenating formulas Wolff has a single memorable scene Later in the year however Wolff s billing dramatically increased to co lead status in his next two Corman productions scripted by Charles B Griffith Beast from Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack Shot back to back in the snowy wilderness outside Deadwood South Dakota the films used the same crew and cast which in addition to Wolff included Michael Forest Wally Campo Richard Sinatra Frank s nephew and Sheila Carol The first of the two Beast directed for Corman by Wolff s UCLA friend Monte Hellman remains a well remembered low budget horror title with a spider like creature menacing a trio of robbers led by Wolff trapped in a ski lodge In contrast the equally poverty budgeted Attack on which Corman himself took over the directorial reins turned out to be a little noticed World War II quickie in which a quartet of GIs on skis slog through a snowbound landscape The group s leader a tall stalwart lieutenant Michael Forest who played a similarly characterized forest ranger in Beast is continually challenged by the disdainful sergeant Wolff Beast was first shown in October 1959 but eventually paired on a double bill with The Wasp Woman which in line with the other films Dakota link premiered in Bismarck North Dakota on February 12 1960 The previous month Wolff was seen in three TV appearances The Untouchables January 7 The Lawless Years January 19 and Rawhide January 29 He also had the third billed role of Baron a nightclub owner who refuses to give another chance to alcoholic trumpet player Jack Klugman in The Twilight Zone episode A Passage for Trumpet broadcast on May 20 In 1958 he appeared with another guest star Strother Martin in the episode Pete Henke of the NBC western series Jefferson Drum starring Jeff Richards as a crusading newspaper editor citation needed Moving to Europe edit nbsp Wolff in God Forgives I Don t 1967 In autumn 1960 Wolff traveled to Greece to co star in another Roger Corman directed Charles B Griffith scripted low budgeter Atlas released in May 1961 The title role was again assigned to the brawny Corman regular Michael Forest while the female lead went to Barboura Morris who between 1957 and 1967 worked exclusively for Corman appearing in thirteen of his films including The Wasp Woman In Atlas Wolff was cast as the treacherous King Praximedes a scene stealing lead villain who was singled out by the few critics who reviewed the film Sporting a short beard Praximedes was alternately charming witty overbearing and menacing On Corman s advice Wolff remained in Europe and became a well known character actor in over fifty mostly Italian made films of the 1960s including crime suspense gialli and Spaghetti Westerns Early in his European career he returned to Greece to essay a major second billed role in his most prestigious movie the 1963 Best Picture Oscar nominee America America which producer director writer Elia Kazan filmed on location As Vartan Damadian the Armenian friend of the central character played by Stathis Giallelis a heavily mustached Wolff assayed a complex multi layered personality Wolff s numerous Italian films of the 1960s included The Four Days of Naples Salvatore Giuliano Il demonio La morte risale a ieri sera The Great Silence God Forgives I Don t One Dollar Too Many and Once Upon a Time in the West He was also seen in a few episodes of British produced TV series such as The Saint and The Baron Death editWolff committed suicide by cutting his throat in the bathroom of a residence in his Rome hotel room a few steps from the Hilton hotel at the age of 43 on December 12 1971 2 Long the victim of a deep depressive crisis the actor was separated from his wife Alice Campbell who lived like him in Rome According to one hypothesis Wolff would have injured himself for the first time with a razor blade Having dropped the blade from his hand the actor would have taken a second one with which he would have cut the carotid artery This second injury caused a cerebral anemia that led to his death in a short time 3 His body was found by a 24 year old Austrian friend on the same day and police said he had slashed his throat 4 It was speculated that the unrequited love for the young woman might have contributed to Wolff s fatal act already suffering from a nervous breakdown for some time after his wife had left him for another man 3 His final two Italian made films Milan Caliber 9 and When Women Lost Their Tails were released posthumously in 1972 His voice in the English language version of Milan Caliber 9 was dubbed in by his frequent co star and roommate at the time of his death Michael Forest Selected filmography editKathy O 1958 Man uncredited I Mobster 1959 Man uncredited The Wild and the Innocent 1959 Henchman The Wasp Woman 1959 First Delivery Man Beast from Haunted Cave 1959 Alexander Ward Ski Troop Attack 1960 Sgt Potter Twilight Zone 1960 Baron The Subterraneans 1960 Bearded Man uncredited The Runaway 1961 Wetback Vagrant uncredited Atlas 1961 Proximates the Tyrant Salvatore Giuliano 1962 Gaspare Pisciotta The Four Days of Naples 1962 Salvatore uncredited The Verona Trial 1963 Count Galeazzo Ciano Il demonio 1963 Antonio America America 1963 Vartan Damadian Un commerce tranquille 1964 Ginger Via Veneto 1964 Amori pericolosi 1964 Il marito segments Il passo and La ronda Situation Hopeless But Not Serious 1965 Quartermaster Master Sergeant Judith 1966 Eli Agent 3S3 Massacre in the Sun 1966 Ivan Mikhailovic Ringo the Mark of Vengeance 1966 Trikie Ferguson A Few Dollars for Django 1966 Jim Trevor Norton Treasure of San Gennaro 1966 Joe Non faccio la guerra faccio l amore 1966 Charlie Morgan A Stranger in Town 1967 Aguilar The Million Dollar Countdown 1967 Paul Lefevre Il tempo degli avvoltoi 1967 Joshua Tracy The Stranger Returns 1967 El Plein English version voice uncredited God Forgives I Don t 1967 Bill San Antonio Anyone Can Play 1968 Cesare Paola s husband Sardinia Kidnapped 1968 Osilo Villa Rides 1968 Ramirez One Dollar Too Many 1968 Edwin Kean The Great Silence 1968 Sheriff Gideon Burnett Once Upon a Time in the West 1968 Brett McBain The Libertine 1968 Dr Giulio the dentist Kill Them All and Come Back Alone 1968 Captain Lynch Ecce Homo 1968 Quentin Eat It 1968 Commendatore Mister Eat it I dannati della Terra 1969 Fausto La battaglia del deserto 1969 Red Wiley Carnal Circuit 1969 Frank Donovan Barbagia 1969 Spina Sartana the Gravedigger 1969 Buddy Ben L amica 1969 Guido Nervi L amore breve it 1969 Vallauri Metello 1970 Betto La morte risale a ieri sera 1970 Duca Lamberti Corbari 1970 Ulianov The Lickerish Quartet 1970 Castle owner When Women Had Tails 1970 Grr Trasplante de un cerebro 1970 Dr Chambers The Beloved 1971 Hector Cold Eyes of Fear 1971 Arthur Welt Death Walks on High Heels 1971 Dr Robert Matthews Milan Caliber 9 1972 Commissioner When Women Lost Their Tails 1972 Grr final film role References edit Frank Wolff Movies amp TV Dept The New York Times 2014 Archived from the original on December 16 2014 Movies starring Wolff Frank Movie OK Archived from the original on July 14 2009 Retrieved April 16 2009 a b Il Suicidio di Frank Wolff l Unita in Italian p 8 Archived from the original on March 4 2016 Retrieved October 27 2022 Frank Wolff Dies Screen Actor 43 The New York Times Associated Press December 13 1971 p 42 External links editFrank Wolff at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank Wolff actor amp oldid 1183791815, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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