Frances Fuller

Biography

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).