Frank Buxton

Frank Buxton (February 13, 1930 – January 2, 2018) was an American actor, television writer, author, and television director. Buxton grew up in Larchmont, New York. He was a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S.) and Syracuse University (M.S.), and served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

Frank Buxton
Buxton in 1966
Born(1930-02-13)February 13, 1930
Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJanuary 2, 2018(2018-01-02) (aged 87)
Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, television writer, author, television director
Years active1949–2013
SpouseCynthia Lovelace Sears (1982-2018; his death)

Career

Buxton's acting career extends from summer theatre in Three Men on a Horse with the legendary Buster Keaton at age 19. He worked as a producer-director at WGN-TV in Chicago, as well as Buffalo stations WGR-TV and WBUF-TV. Turning to performing, Buxton performed his own stand-up comedy act at comedy clubs from coast to coast. He toured Australia for a year as Albert in Bye Bye Birdie. His first TV credit was as host and producer of the ABC television documentary series, Discovery co-hosted by actress/singer Virginia Gibson from 1962 to 1966. Buxton also did the narration, as well as all of the voices, for the "Silly Record" LP (1962 on Harmony Records).

In 1966, Buxton teamed up with Hal Seeger in the animated cartoon series Batfink, providing the voice for the title character in all 100 episodes, as well as its recurring villain Hugo A-Go-Go. As a writer, Buxton co-authored with Bill Owen on two books covering the golden age of radio - The Big Broadcast and The Golden Age. Owen succeeded Buxton as host of Discovery from 1966 to 1971. Buxton also hosted the game show Get the Message for ABC in 1964, later to be replaced by Robert Q. Lewis.

For much of the 1970s, Buxton worked as a writer, producer and director for Paramount Television. He served as a story editor for the comedy anthology series Love, American Style, in addition to writing and directing episodes of The Odd Couple, Happy Days and Mork & Mindy. Buxton also created, wrote, produced and directed the television series Hot Dog for NBC, which starred Woody Allen, Tom Smothers, Jonathan Winters, and Joanne Worley. The series won a Peabody Award in 1970. Buxton played roles in numerous TV series, movies, and commercials such as Xerox and Safeway Markets, to name a few.

He spent the end of his life in Bainbridge Island, Washington,[1][2] where he was active in community theatre and numerous philanthropic activities.[3] Buxton continued to perform regularly with The Edge, an improvisational comedy group at Bainbridge Performing Arts. He was also a regular cast member on the web cooking show Cookus Interruptus.

Death

Frank Buxton died on January 2, 2018, in Bainbridge Island, Washington from heart-related issues.[4] At the time of his death, he was still active in local theater and improv.[5]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1966What's Up, Tiger Lily?Vocal AssistVoice
1987OverboardWilbur Budd
1988BeachesDoctor
1991Frankie and JohnnyMinister
2012GrassrootsOld ManUncredited
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1966BatfinkBatfinkVoice
1989Chip 'n Dale: Rescue RangersMr. StarfishVoice, Episode: "A Creep in the Deep"
1994RoommatesMr. ThomasTelevision movie

References
  1. Alcalá and Buxton honored as Island Treasures Sunday at IslandWood, Bainbridge Island Review, March 12, 2010, retrieved January 25, 2012
  2. Local authors, Bainbridge Public Library, March 26, 2011, archived from the original on January 19, 2012, retrieved January 25, 2012
  3. Treasures in heaven, Bainbridge Island Review, December 11, 2009, retrieved January 25, 2012
  4. "News from ME - Mark Evanier's blog".
  5. Barnes, Mike; Bartlett, Rhett (January 3, 2018). "Frank Buxton, Writer and Director on 'The Odd Couple' and 'Happy Days,' Dies at 87". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
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