# William Frankfather

William Frankfather (born Billy Joe Frankfather; August 4, 1944 – December 28, 1998) was an American actor.

## Early life

Frankfather was born in Kermit, Texas on August 4, 1944.

## Career

Frankfather guest-starred in many popular television series of the late 20th century, including MacGyver, Night Court, The A-Team, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, Murphy Brown, Picket Fences, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Melrose Place, Empty Nest, Wings, NYPD Blue, Tales from the Crypt and Mama's Family.
Frankfather received his bachelor's and master's degrees, both in English literature, from New Mexico State University, and received a master of fine arts degree in acting from Stanford University.
He performed on many theater stages, including on Broadway in the original cast of Children of a Lesser God. He was a 25-year member of Theatre 40, a professional theater company in Beverly Hills, California. He was artistic director of Theatre 40 for five years up to June 1998.
Frankfather received six DramaLogue awards for acting and producing, and as artistic director of Theatre 40, produced works by playwrights such as Mark Medoff and Sam Shepard.
His feature-film credits include Mouse Hunt, The Rocketeer, and Death Becomes Her, but is best remembered on-screen for his menacing performance as Whitey Jackson, the killer albino, in the 1978 comedy film Foul Play. Notably, Frankfather is able to achieve serious menace despite the fact viewers never hear a word of dialogue spoken by his character throughout the film. There is a scene where Whitey Jackson is using a pay phone while Goldie Hawn watches him from an upstairs window but you never hear what he says so his voice remains unheard.

## Personal life and death

Frankfather died at University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center December 28, 1998, from complications of liver disease. He was 54. Frankfather is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Richard.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1978 | Foul Play | "Whitey" Jackson |
| 1980 | Inside Moves | Fryer |
| 1981 | Pennies from Heaven | Pool Player |
| 1984 | Flashpoint | Lacy |
| 1985 | Alamo Bay | Mac |
| 1986 | Invaders from Mars | Ed, Heather's father |
| 1987 | Harry and the Hendersons | Schwarz |
| 1987 | Baby Boom | Merle White |
| 1988 | Defense Play | General Phillips |
| 1988 | War Party | The Governor |
| 1989 | Valentino Returns | |
| 1991 | The Rocketeer | Government Liaison |
| 1992 | Cool World | Cop |
| 1992 | Death Becomes Her | Mr. Franklin |
| 1992 | Little Sister | Dad |
| 1993 | Born Yesterday | Senator Kelley |
| 1993 | Take My Breath Away | Warden |
| 1994 | When a Man Loves a Woman | Al-Anon Leader |
| 1997 | Do Me a Favor | Gus |
| 1997 | MouseHunt | Mr. Texas |
| 1998 | Rough Draft | Officer Joe |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | MacGyver | Barney | Episode: "Target MacGyver" |
| 1987 | St. Elsewhere | Prison Official | Episode: "You Again?" |
| 1987 | Highway To Heaven | Mr. Lowell | Episode: "Normal People" |
| 1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Mr. Colbert | Episode: "The Secret" |
| 1994-1995 | Melrose Place | Judge David Johnson | Episodes: "And Justice for None" and "They Shoot Mothers, Don't They?" |
| 1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Male Changeling | Episode: "The Search" |
| 1995 | Empty Nest | Minister | Episode: "Goodbye, Charley" |
| 1995 | Wings | Thurmon | Episode: "Death Becomes Him" |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Sam | Episode: "The Nutty Confessor" |
| 1996 | Dark Skies | Local Cop | Episode: "Moving Targets" |
| 1998 | Any Day Now | | Episode: "You Shoulda Seen My Daddy" |