Louis Quinn

Louis Quinn (born Louis Frackt; March 23, 1915 – September 14, 1988) was an American television and film actor, best known for his role as Roscoe, the comic relief racetrack tout, from 1958 to 1963 in the ABC/Warner Brothers detective television series, 77 Sunset Strip.[1]

For the missionary, see Louis Joseph Quinn.
Louis Quinn
Born
Louis Frackt

(1915-03-23)March 23, 1915
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedSeptember 14, 1988(1988-09-14) (aged 73)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1957–1987
Spouse(s)Christine Nelson

Early years

Born in Chicago, Quinn went to Los Angeles when he was a boy; he was raised by his brother. He sold newspapers on street corners[2] and graduated from Los Angeles High School.[1] He went on to study journalism at the University of New Mexico.[2]

Military service

Quinn was a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. His duties included writing dialogue for training films.[3]

Radio

Quinn began his career as a radio personality, hosting variety shows and writing comedy for Milton Berle and Don McNeill's Breakfast Club.[4]

Early in 1953, WINS in New York City carried The Louis Quinn Show from midnight to 1 a.m., with the program originating in its studios.[5] On December 30, 1953, Quinn began broadcasting his program over KCMJ, Palm Springs, California. The program originated in the Fireside Room of the La Paz Hotel in Palm Springs.[6]

Television

Quinn continued writing for Berle when the comedian made the transition to television in Texaco Star Theatre.[1]

His first television role was as a city council member in the 1956 episode "The Bachelor Party' of Jackie Cooper's NBC sitcom, The People's Choice.[7] In 1958 Quinn appeared (uncredited) as the First Hotel Clerk on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Dead to Rights."

He appeared regularly on television though not in major or recurring roles apart from 77 Sunset Strip. He guest starred on the ABC/WB western series, The Alaskans. He appeared in three episodes of ABC's Batman (55, 56 and 111), once on NBC's The Virginian, in the 1977 film Raid on Entebbe, and the sitcoms, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, The Donna Reed Show, Barney Miller and Gilligan's Island.

Film

Quinn's writing career began at Warner Bros., where director Bryan Foy signed him as a writer in August 1940. He was the writer for seven feature films before he went into the military during World War II.[3]

On the big screen, Quinn played mostly supporting roles in such films as Al Capone (1959), The Crowded Sky (1960), Gypsy (1962), For Those Who Think Young (1964), Birds Do It (1966), Unholy Rollers (1972), Superchick (1973), Linda Lovelace for President (1975), and All the President's Men (1976).[7]

He was also the emcee for the premiere of Mary Poppins at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 27, 1964, though he did not appear in the film itself.

Personal life

Quinn was married to Christine Nelson, an actress and entertainer in television, film and night clubs.[8] She made guest appearances on 77 Sunset Strip four times during its run, and joined Quinn in appearing as lighthouse keepers "Mr. and Mrs. Keeper" in the Batman TV episode The Joke's on Catwoman (1968). They died a month apart in 1988.

Death

Quinn died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 73. His survivors included a daughter, a brother, and four sisters.[1]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1954There's No Business Like Show BusinessCabbieUncredited
1957Top Secret AffairTrial BroadcasterUncredited
1958The Deep SixFishermanUncredited
1958Too Much, Too SoonAssistantUncredited
1958Torpedo RunSub CrewmanUncredited
1959The TrapArchie StonerUncredited
1959Al CaponeJoe Lorenzo
1959High School Big ShotSamuel Tallman
1960Ocean's 11DeWolfeUncredited
1960The Crowded SkySidney Schreiber
1961DondiDimmy
1962GypsyCigar
1964For Those Who Think YoungGus Kestler
1966The Las Vegas HillbillysLouis Quinn
1966Birds Do ItSgt. Skam
1971Welcome to the ClubCapt. Sigmus
1972Unholy RollersMr. Stern
1973SuperchickGarrick
1975Linda Lovelace for PresidentDirty Guy #1
1975Keep Off My Grass!Maury Sherman
1976All the President's MenSalesman
1986Vasectomy: A Delicate MatterPriest

References
  1. "Louis Quinn, gag writer turned character actor". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. Associated Press. September 18, 1988. p. Section 2, Page 7. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  2. "Louis Quinn, Gag Writer, Comedian". The Oneonta Star. New York, Oneonta. December 12, 1951. p. 7. Retrieved February 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "77 Sunset Strip's 'Roscoe' a Man of Many Talents". Standard-Speaker. Pennsylvania, Hazleton. March 10, 1962. p. 19. Retrieved February 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Associated Press (1988-09-19). "Louis Quinn, Character Actor, 73 (Obituary)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  5. "Hot Flashes". Broadcasting. February 14, 1953. p. 34. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  6. "Louis Quinn Show Opens Wednesday at La Paz Hotel". Desert Sun. California, Palm Springs. December 28, 1953. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  7. "Louis Quinn". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  8. "TV Key Mailbag". The Salina Journal. Kansas, Salina. December 22, 1959. p. 5.
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