Frank McRae
Biography
Frank McRae was an American actor and former professional football player born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a double major in drama and history and played as a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears during the 1967 NFL season. His acting credits include playing the history teacher Mr. Teasdale in Red Dawn, bank robber Reed Youngblood in Dillinger, Hazel in Cannery Row, Spanky in The Wizard, James Bond's friend Sharkey in Licence to Kill, inmate Eclipse in Lock Up, a shouting police captain in 48 Hrs., and a train coachman in Tracks. He also parodied his police captain role in Last Action Hero and Loaded Weapon 1. According to database records, he passed away on April 29, 2021.
Career overview
Frank McRae was an American actor and former professional football player who was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a double major in drama and history and played as a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears during the 1967 NFL season.
Transitioning to acting, McRae accumulated fifty-three known credits in film and television. Among his varied acting roles, he portrayed the history teacher Mr. Teasdale in Red Dawn, bank robber Reed Youngblood in Dillinger, Hazel in Cannery Row, and Spanky in The Wizard. His filmography also includes playing James Bond's friend Sharkey in the 1989 film Licence to Kill and the inmate Eclipse in Lock Up.
McRae is also recognized for playing a shouting police captain in 48 Hrs., a role he later parodied in Last Action Hero and Loaded Weapon 1. Additional film credits listed in his background include playing the train coachman in Tracks. He passed away on April 29, 2021.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
53 titles- Love's Abiding Joy (2006) as Cookie
- Love's Long Journey (2005) as Cookie
- One Hell of a Guy (2000) as Moe
- Hijack (1999) as Roger Tate
- Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar (1999) as Bruce McFee
- The Killing Jar (1997) as Det. Bernie Morris
- Asteroid (1997) as Lloyd Morgan
- ER (1994) as Freddie
- Lightning Jack (1994) as Mr. Doyle
- Last Action Hero (1993) as Lieutenant Dekker
- National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) as Captain Doyle
- Trouble Shooters: Trapped Beneath the Earth (1993) as Hugh
- Sketch Artist (1992) as Det. Milon
- Another 48 Hrs. (1990) as Haden (uncredited)
- Poochinski (1990) as Captain Ed Martin
- Licence to Kill (1989) as Sharkey
- Lock Up (1989) as Eclipse
- The Wizard (1989) as Spanky
- Farewell to the King (1989) as Sgt. Tenga
- *batteries not included (1987) as Harry Noble
- The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1986) as Herschel Dean
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as Sheriff (segment "Opening Day")
- Hostage Flight (1985) as Bart Cooper
- Red Dawn (1984) as Mr. Teasdale
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) as Grover
- Shooting Stars (1983) as Tubbs
- 48 Hrs. (1982) as Haden
- Cannery Row (1982) as Hazel
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Used Cars (1980) as Jim the Mechanic
- City in Fear (1980) as Captain Maslin
- Rocky II (1979) as Meat Foreman (uncredited)
- 1941 (1979) as Pvt. Ogden Johnson Jones
- Norma Rae (1979) as James Brown
- Paradise Alley (1978) as Big Glory
- F.I.S.T. (1978) as Lincoln Dombrowsky
- The End (1978) as Male Nurse
- Dog and Cat (1977) as Morgue Attendant
- Quincy, M.E. (1976)
- Tracks (1976) as Train Coachman
- Pipe Dreams (1976) as Moose
- Wonder Woman (1975) as Foreman
- Hard Times (1975) as Hammerman
- Walking Tall Part II (1975) as Steamer Riley
- The Orphan and the Dude (1975) as Fast Freddie
- Judgment: The Court Martial of Lt. William Calley (1975) as Mr. Langham
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Junior
- The Bank Shot (1974) as Herman Lincoln (aka Herman X)
- Shaft in Africa (1973) as Osiat
- Dillinger (1973) as Reed Youngblood
- Snatched (1973) as Cheech
- Cool Breeze (1972) as Barry, Mercer's Servant (uncredited)
- Columbo (1971) as Lt. John Robertson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Frank McRae best known for?
Frank McRae is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Guy, a Girl (1999), Lust, Caution (2007), Lightning Jack (1994), Last Action Hero (1993).
When and where was Frank McRae born?
Frank McRae was born on March 18, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. They passed away on April 29, 2021.
How many credits does Frank McRae have?
Frank McRae has accumulated over 53 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2006.
What is Frank McRae's background in cinema and television?
Frank McRae was an American actor and former professional football player born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a double major in drama and history and played as a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears during the 1967 NFL season. His acting credits include playing the history te...
Frank McRae by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Columbo (1971) as Lt. John Robertson — aged about 30
- ER (1994) as Freddie — aged about 53
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as Sheriff (segment "Opening Day") — aged about 44
- Hill Street Blues (1981) — aged about 40
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Junior — aged about 33
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) — aged about 35
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