Frank Sutton

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Frank Spencer Sutton (October 23, 1923 - June 28, 1974) was an American actor who is best remembered for his role as the loud, hard-nosed drill instructor Gunnary Sgt Vince Carter on the CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Sutton was born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1923. When he was eight years old, his father took a position as a linotype operator at the Nashville Tennessean in Nashville. While growing up in Nashville, he developed an interest in acting, earning his first role in at the age of nine. He later commented, "The first time I walked out on a stage, I had a warm feeling. I knew then I wanted to be an actor." However, the joy of learning his new craft was diminished during this time by the death of his father.

After Sutton graduated from East Nashville High School, he returned to Clarksville to become a radio disc jockey, then enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, and after basic training, was sent to the South Pacific, taking part in 14 assault landings.

Upon his release from the service, he made his professional debut in a Pennsylvania stock company production of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street in 1947. He then attended Columbia University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in drama in 1952, marrying Toby Igler in 1949.

Throughout the next decade, he played small roles in such television shows as Gunsmoke and The Untouchables, often playing characters much older, and the acclaimed movie "Marty". He had a continuing role as Cadet Eric Rattison, the great rival of the "Polaris Unit" manned by the series' heroes, in TV's Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, from 1950 to 1955. In 1955, he received his big break in the Academy Award-winning movie Marty, playing the role of the title character's best friend, Ralph.

After returning to the stage in "The Andersonville Trial" in the early 1960s, Sutton then achieved lasting recognition when he landed the role of Sergeant Carter on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show entitled "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." in 1964. This episode led to a spin-off television series of the same name, where Sutton continued the role for five seasons, until the show ended its run in 1969. During the run of the show, he was made an honorary sergeant by the U.S. Marine Corps in recognition of his entertainment performances at camps, hospitals and bases. {He also appeared in Public Service Commericals as "Sgt Carter"}

His friendship with co-star Jim Nabors continued when Nabors hosted a variety of series beginning in 1969, and lasted into the 1970s.

After Gomer Pyle, Sutton went on to perform in dinner theater and made guest appearances on other television programs. While preparing for a performance of the comedy "Luv" at the Beverly Barn Dinner Playhouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, he died of a heart attack. Sutton was buried in his hometown of Clarksville.

[edit] Trivia

On "Gomer Pyle USMC" it was a running joke of how Sgt Carter's mortal enemy was Mess Staff Sergeant Hacker {Allan Melvin}. In one particular episode Hacker and Carter are nearly driven crazy when they have to search 400 loafs of bread are a ring dropped by Gomer in bread dough-2 hours before mess call!
In the series Sgt Carter was a Korean War Veteran; as noted above Frank Sutton served in World War II.