Frank J. Delfino (February 13, 1911 – February 19, 1997) was an American actor. Delfino had dwarfism, and most of his roles were related to his small stature. He remains best known for portraying the character of the Hamburglar in the McDonald's advertising campaign television commercial's over a 20-year period.
Frank Delfino | |
|---|---|
 Frank Delfino and wife Sadie Delfino | |
| Born | Frank J. Delfino February 13, 1911 Brooklyn, New York, US |
| Died | February 19, 1997 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1955–1992 |
Early life and career
editDelfino was born in Brooklyn, New York. Standing 4 feet, 5 inches tall, he became a professional violinist and performed in "Midget Village" at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. Delfino began his professional acting career appearing as "Johnnie" selling cigarettes for Philip Morris. He subsequently appeared in advertisements for Curtis Candy, Little Caesars, Sprite, and Snickers. He first appeared in commercials for McDonald's, beginning in 1971 and continuing for more than 20 years, portraying The Hamburglar.[1][2]
In 1949, Delfino moved to Los Angeles to perform in his own local cartoon show, Jupiter Mars from Out of the Stars. He made his feature film debut in 1956 with an uncredited role in The Court Jester. He later had minor parts in films such as Please Don't Eat the Daisies and Planet of the Apes. He also had more significant roles in productions including At the End of the Rainbow (aka: The Princess and the Magic Frog), The Odd Couple, Little Cigars, White House Madness, The Feather and Father Gang and Never Con a Killer.[1]
Delfino and his wife, Sadie, also worked as stand-ins for well-known Hollywood child actors, including Mike Lookinland and Susan Olsen, who portrayed Bobby and Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch. In addition to serving as stand-ins, the Delfinos appeared as "Kaplutian" extraterrestrials in one of the episodes of the final season of The Brady Bunch entitled, "Out of This World". One of Frank Delfino's last on-screen roles came in 1988, when he played a minor character in the TV series Circus.[1]
Death
editDelfino died of bone marrow cancer at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California on February 19, 1997, just six days after his 86th birthday.[1][2]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | The Court Jester | One of Hermine's Midgets | Film debut, Uncredited |
| 1960 | Please Don't Eat the Daisies | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1963 | Papa's Delicate Condition | Midget Clown | Uncredited |
| Bonanza | Timothy | Episode: Hoss and the Leprechauns | |
| 1965 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | Boy - Midget | Episode: Time Bomb |
| At the End of the Rainbow | Leprechaun | ||
| The Wild Wild West | Barker | Episode: The Night of the Glowing Corpse | |
| 1966 | Movie Star, American Style or; LSD, I Hate You | Midget Photographer | |
| The Beverly Hillbillies | Spaceman #1 | Episode: The Flying Saucer | |
| 1968 | Planet of the Apes | Child Ape | Uncredited |
| 1969 | Justine | Child Prostitute | Uncredited |
| Hello, Dolly! | Midget | Uncredited | |
| 1971 | The Red Skelton Hour | Mini Humperdoo | Episode: Humperdoo's Little Prescription |
| 1973 | Little Cigars | Monty | |
| 1974 | The Brady Bunch | Kaplutian | Episode: Out of This World |
| 1975-1990 | McDonaldland | Hamburglar | |
| 1975 | White House Madness | Secret Service Man | |
| 1976 | Gable and Lombard | Munchkin | Uncredited |
| 1978 | The Lord of the Rings | Character Actor | Voice |
| 1979 | Americathon | Act | |
| 1980 | The Hunter | Poker Player | Final film |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Frank J. Delfino; Actor Played Hamburglar". The Los Angeles Times. February 22, 1997. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
- ^ a b "Frank J. Delfino, Television's Hamburglar". San Jose Mercury News. February 23, 1997.
