Frank Keenan

Biography

Before he ever graced the silver screen, Frank Keenan reigned as one of the nation’s preeminent stage titans, though his legendary status came with a peculiar nickname: the "furniture actor." This moniker was born of necessity rather than style; Keenan’s penchant for the bottle often left him so unsteady that he relied on the stage's tables and chairs to remain upright during a performance. Despite these liquid-fueled balancing acts, his artistry remained unrivaled across the country. His personal life met a tragic, public end when his wife of forty-four years suffered a fatal stroke while watching him from the audience, passing away only moments after witnessing her husband’s craft one last time.