Frank Marth, a talented and versatile character actor, was a ubiquitous presence in numerous American prime-time TV shows during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in New York, Marth initially gained recognition as a member of Jackie Gleason's stock company, often portraying uncredited background characters in Cavalcade of Stars (1949) and The Honeymooners (1955).
According to his co-star Audrey Meadows, Marth was "worth his weight in gold." This assessment was echoed by his subsequent work, as Marth became a staple on the small screen, taking on roles as tough cops, FBI agents, and stern military brass. For over two decades, Marth's granite-faced, sober-looking presence added depth and authenticity to a wide range of characters.
Notably, Marth was overlooked for the part of a KAOS operative in Get Smart (1965),a role that would have been a perfect fit. However, he made up for it with his memorable performances as Count von Waffenschmidt and assorted SS officers in Hogan's Heroes (1965). Marth was also a favorite in sci-fi roles, playing a sinister alien in The Invaders (1967) and a THRUSH agent in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964).
He appeared in a variety of other notable roles, including Colonel Brody, the taciturn and stymying dinosaur-hunting companion of Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974). Marth was also perfectly cast as a hard-nosed tank commander, giving the medics a hard time in the M*A*S*H episode "Hey, Doc." He had recurring uniformed roles in The Dirty Dozen (1988) and War and Remembrance (1988).
Frank Marth was married to the talented stage and screen actress Hope Holiday.
