Frances Fuller(1907-1980)
- Actress
Frances Fuller was born into a prominent family in Charleston, South
Carolina. She was educated at the Manhattanville College of the Sacred
Heart and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
After appearing in stock in Chester, Pennsylvania, Frances made her
Broadway debut in George S. Kaufman's
production of
'The Front Page' in
1928. The diminutive brunette with the expressive eyes made instant
headlines and won praise from Brooks Atkinson
and other reviewers. Consequently, she was cast in similarly emotive or
compassionate roles in 'Five Star Final' (1930-31), 'The Animal
Kingdom' (1932) and 'Stage Door' (1936-37), in which she played an
aspiring actress whose failure to succeed on stage leads to suicide.
Her few film roles, sensitively acted, but mostly in minor productions,
gave her little opportunity to shine and Frances returned to the
theatre, occasional television appearances and other pursuits.
Between 1954 and 1964, she was president of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also taught drama at the academy for many years, with stars Grace Kelly and Anne Bancroft among those under her tutelage. She was married to the pioneer television producer Worthington Miner. Her son, Peter Miner, is a television producer, best known for the TV series Dark Shadows (1966).
Between 1954 and 1964, she was president of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also taught drama at the academy for many years, with stars Grace Kelly and Anne Bancroft among those under her tutelage. She was married to the pioneer television producer Worthington Miner. Her son, Peter Miner, is a television producer, best known for the TV series Dark Shadows (1966).