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| Center photo: ABC Television [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Hard-drinking, roughhousing Benjamin Franklin McGrath, known as Frank McGrath and even better known as the bewhiskered "Charlie Wooster" on Wagon Train (1957-65), was born on this date in 1903.
Born in Missouri, half Indian-half Irish McGrath roamed westward and wound up working as a stuntman in Hollywood. His career picked up by the 1930s, and because of his small size, he often doubled for women. He became associated with the John Ford stock company (the group of actors that famed director John Ford often used) in the 1940s. Through this, McGrath met Ward Bond, who later cast McGrath and his co-worker/drinking buddy/best friend Terry Wilson in Wagon Train. Neither of the stuntmen were accustomed to speaking roles, but over the series' eight-year run, both proved they could hold their own with the best of them.
McGrath was no respecter of persons—when he caught John Ford cheating at cards, he called him out and even kicked him in the shins. (I don't think the Duke himself was that brave!) Another favorite pastime of McGrath's was starting fights for his friends to finish.
After Wagon Train ended, he appeared in a handful of movies and played "Uncle Lucius" in Tammy (1965-66), alongside Debbie Watson and Denver Pyle. McGrath and Terry Wilson toured together as well, entertaining audiences at fairs, rodeos, and prisons.
But McGrath's career after Wagon Train was short-lived.
On May 13, 1967, he died of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife Libby McGrath. (Libby had a son from a previous marriage, but she and Frank had no children together.)
Despite his rowdy ways, McGrath was a lovable character and a talented man who made a contribution to Western films worth remembering.