Frank Morgan (1890 - 1949)

Frank Morgan Born June 1, 1890 in New York City, New York, USA Died September 18, 1949 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name Francis Philip Wuppermann Height 5' 8" (1.73 m) Jovial, somewhat flamboyant Frank Morgan (born Francis Wuppermann) will forever be remembered as the title character in The Wizard of Oz (1939), but he was a veteran and respected actor long before he played that part, and turned in outstanding performances both before and after that film. One of 11 children of a wealthy manufacturer, Morgan followed his older brother, Ralph Morgan (born Raphael Wuppermann) into the acting profession, making his Broadway debut in 1914 and his film debut two years later. Morgan specialized in playing courtly, sometimes eccentric or befuddled but ultimately sympathetic characters, such as the alcoholic telegraph operator in The Human Comedy (1943) or the shop owner in The Shop Around the Corner (1940). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for The Affairs of Cellini (1934). Frank Morgan died at age 59 of a heart attack on September 18, 1949, in Beverly Hills, California. Family (2) Spouse Alma Rose Muller (11 March 1914 - 18 September 1949) (his death) (1 child) Parents George Wuppermann Josephine Wuppermann Born, with his elder brother, the actor Ralph Morgan, into a well-to-do family that formerly distributed in the United States the universally-known condiment "Angostura Aromatic Bitters.". A character actor best remembered as Professor Marvel/The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, USA, in section #168, plot #14447. Member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. Uncle of actress Claudia Morgan. Youngest of eleven children (six boys and five girls) of the co-founder of the Angostura-Wuppermann Corporation which marketed bitters used in drinks and cocktails. Hobby -- boat enthusiast who participated in yacht races. A boy soprano in church, some of his early pre-acting jobs included selling toothbrushes, soliciting advertisements, and bronco busting Son, George Morgan (1916 - 2003). W.C. Fields was originally considered for Morgan's role in The Wizard of Oz (1939). However, Fields haggled endlessly over salary, and the role was given to Morgan. Was a member of the famous "Irish mafia"--even though he wasn't Irish--which also included fellow Hollywood actors James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Frank McHugh and Pat O'Brien. Brother-in-law of Grace Arnold. Honorary pallbearers at his funeral included Clark Gable and Pat O'Brien. Irish tenor Dennis Day sang. Was cast in the role of Buffalo Bill Cody in the MGM film Annie Get Your Gun (1950) but died in his sleep of a heart attack after shooting only the opening scene. He was replaced by MGM contract player Louis Calhern. Morgan owned a 550-acre ranch in Hemet Valley, California, and raised cattle. He also owned yachts, one of them winning a race from Los Angeles to Honolulu in 1947. Was involved in a serious car accident in New Mexico in December, 1939. Frank and his son George Morgan were not hurt, his wife Alma re-injured an already bad knee that often left her incapacitated, but their chauffeur/house servant was killed. Was a deeply conservative Republican. Was a lifelong member of the Lambs Club, the theater's oldest professional club. Wife Alma Muller (1895-1970) was the daughter of a New York real estate magnate and a woman suffragette. They eloped in 1914. Of his ten brothers and sisters, he was closest to brother Carlos Domaso Siegert Wuppermann (aka Carlyle Morgan) (1887-1919) whose death while serving in the United States Army's Corps of Intelligence Police in Germany was initially deemed a suicide. It was later learned he was murdered by a fellow soldier. Carlyle was a writer, poet, playwright and actor. Frank appeared in his deceased brother's play "The Triumph of X" in 1921 on Broadway. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (1939) said that whenever she saw the scene in the film where Frank Morgan as the Wizard is giving Dorothy's friends gifts from his "black bag" (a diploma for the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tin Man, and a medal for the Cowardly Lion), she got teary-eyed, because "Frank Morgan was just like that in real life - very generous". He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 1708 Vine Street and for Radio at 6700 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Morgan was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Tortilla Flat (1942). He did not live to see The Wizard of Oz (1939) become one of the most famous films ever made through its annual network telecasts. His father was born in Venezuela and was of Spanish and German descent. His mother was born in the United States and was of English descent. Was considered a heavy drinker but kept his imbibing in the dressing room and seldom let it interfere with his professionalism and jovial manner on the set. Was in four Oscar Best Picture nominees: Naughty Marietta (1935), The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Great Ziegfeld (1936), and The Human Comedy (1943), with The Great Ziegfeld winning in 1936. In her autobiography, Child Star, Shirley Temple remembered being warned that Frank Morgan was an inveterate 'scene-stealer' and was advised on ways to counteract the practice during her movie scenes with him. An alumnus of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1914.