
Frankie Darro
Known for department: Acting
Birthday: 1917-12-22 – 1976-12-25
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Biography
Frankie Darro (December 22, 1917 – December 25, 1976) was an American actor. Born into a show-business family - his parents were circus aerialists - Darro appeared in his first film at age six. Due to his small size and youthful appearance, he played teenagers well into his 20s. Always a physical performer, Darro often did his own stunts, many times out of necessity - his small stature made it difficult to find stunt doubles his size. He was an accomplished horseman and, in addition to westerns, made several films where he played jockeys. In 1933 he played the lead as a troubled teen in a major film for Warner Brothers, "Wild Boys Of The Road." It is a pre-code film with a realistic look at "The Great Depression," from the point of view of the youth of the time. This film seems to have been rediscovered only recently and has received critical acclaim.That same year, he played a troubled youth in the James Cagney classic, "The Mayor Of Hell". Later in 1935, he had a key role in the cult serial classic "The Phantom Empire"(1935). As Darro got older, however, he found it increasingly difficult to secure employment, and by the late 1940s was doing uncredited stunt work and bit parts. He had a recurring role on The Red Skelton Hour (1951), unrecognized by his fans, he played "Robby The Robot" in the groundbreaking sci-fi film "The Forbidden Planet" (1956), though Marvin Miller, best remembered as Michael Anthony of TVs "Millionaire"(1955-60), was the robot's voice. After that Frankie appeared sporadically in films and on TV .
Known for

Tuxedo Junction
1941Jack 'Sock' Anderson
The Movie Orgy
1968Self (archive footage)
Pinocchio
1940Lampwick (voice) (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
1936'Tip' Collins, Jockey
Reformatory
1938Louie Miller
Unwelcome Stranger
1935Charlie Anderson
Born to Battle
1926Birdie
Three on a Match
1932Bobby (uncredited)
Little Men
1934Dan
Saratoga
1937Dixie Gordon
Hearts and Spangles
1926Bobby
The Lightning Warrior
1931Jimmy Carter
The Public Enemy
1931Matt as a Boy (uncredited)
Wild Boys of the Road
1933Eddie Smith
The Girl on the Late, Late Show
1974Studio GuardDead End Kids Go To War
1942Jack
Broadway Bill
1934Ted Williams
Up in the Air
1940Frankie Ryan
The Mayor of Hell
1933James 'Jimmie' Smith