Franklin Cover
Biography
Franklin Edward Cover was an American actor born on November 20, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Britta and Franklin Held Cover. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1947, earned a degree from Denison University in 1951, and later received a Master of Arts in Theater in 1954 and a Master of Fine Arts in Theater in 1955 from Case Western Reserve University. Cover began his career on the stage, performing in productions of Henry IV, Part 1, Hamlet, and Forty Carats alongside Julie Harris. He is best known for starring in the sitcom The Jeffersons as Tom Willis, portraying half of one of the first interracial marriages seen on prime-time television. His film and television work also included appearances in All in the Family, Naked City, and Wall Street. Cover passed away on February 5, 2006, at the age of 77.
Career overview
Franklin Edward Cover was an American actor born on November 20, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1947, earned a degree from Denison University in 1951, and later received both an MA in Theater in 1954 and an MFA in Theater in 1955 from Case Western Reserve University. Cover passed away on February 5, 2006, at the age of 77.
Cover began his career on the stage, performing in productions of Henry IV, Part 1 and Hamlet, as well as appearing in Forty Carats alongside Julie Harris. Across his career, he accumulated 34 known acting credits. He became best known for starring in the television sitcom The Jeffersons. In the series, he portrayed the character Tom Willis, who was half of one of the first interracial marriages to be seen on prime-time television. Additionally, his film and television work included appearances in All in the Family, Naked City, and Wall Street.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
34 titles- Will & Grace (1998) as Justice of the Peace
- Almost Heroes (1998) as Nicholas Burr
- Too Something (1995)
- ER (1994) as Mr. Thurnhurst
- Cosmic Slop (1994) as (segment 'Space Traders')
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994)
- Living Single (1993)
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) as General Vreeland (voice)
- Mad About You (1992) as Yankee Infielder
- Brain Donors (1992) as Doctor
- They Came from Outer Space (1990)
- Coach (1989) as Gunnar
- In the Heat of the Night (1988)
- Hothouse (1988) as Sheriff Joe Gates
- Zits (1988) as FBI Chief
- Wall Street (1987) as Dan
- 227 (1985)
- Who's the Boss? (1984)
- A Woman Called Golda (1982) as Hubert Humphrey
- A Woman Called Golda (1982) as Hubert Humphrey
- The Day the Bubble Burst (1982) as Herbert Hoover
- The Love Boat (1977)
- The Jeffersons (1975) as Thomas "Tom" Willis
- The Stepford Wives (1975) as Ed Wimpiris
- The Great Gatsby (1974) as Senator Evans (uncredited)
- The Connection (1973) as Lee Harris
- Short Walk to Daylight (1972) as Conductor
- Between Time and Timbuktu (1972) as Col. Donald 'Tex' Pirandello
- Columbo (1971) as Harry Jenkins
- All in the Family (1971) as Tom Willis
- What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968) as Medical Expert
- N.Y.P.D. (1967)
- Mirage (1965) as Group Leader
- Naked City (1958) as Steelworker
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Franklin Cover best known for?
Franklin Cover is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Will & Grace (1998), Lust, Caution (2007), Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2023), Living Single (1993).
When and where was Franklin Cover born?
Franklin Cover was born on November 20, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. They passed away on February 5, 2006.
How many credits does Franklin Cover have?
Franklin Cover has accumulated over 34 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1958 to 1998.
What is Franklin Cover's background in cinema and television?
Franklin Edward Cover was an American actor born on November 20, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Britta and Franklin Held Cover. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1947, earned a degree from Denison University in 1951, and later received a Master of Arts in Theater in 1954 and a Master of Fine Arts in ...
Franklin Cover by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) as General Vreeland (voice) — aged about 63
- Living Single (1993) — aged about 64
- Columbo (1971) as Harry Jenkins — aged about 42
- ER (1994) as Mr. Thurnhurst — aged about 65
- All in the Family (1971) as Tom Willis — aged about 42
- In the Heat of the Night (1988) — aged about 59
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