Francis William Thring IV (11 May 1926 – 29 December 1994) was an Australian character actor in radio, stage, television and film; as well as a theatre director. His early career started in London in theatre productions, before he starred in Hollywood film, where he became best known for roles in '' Ben-Hur'' in 1959 and ''

King of Kings King of Kings, ''Mepet mepe''; , group="n" was a ruling title employed primarily by monarchs based in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Commonly associated with History of Iran, Iran (historically known as name of Iran, Persia ...

'' in 1961. He was known for always wearing black and styling his home in black decor.

Early life

Thring was born in Melbourne. Although sometimes referred to as Frank Thring Jr. because of his well-known father, F. W. Thring, he was actually Francis William Thring (or William Francis Thring) IV. His forebears were Francis William Thring (1812–1887), Francis William Thring (known as William Thring) (1858–1920); William Frank Thring, known as Francis William Thring or F. W. Thring, (1882–1936). Thring was the son of F. W. Thring and Olive (née Kreitmeyer), and was educated at the

Melbourne Grammar School Melbourne Grammar School is an Australian private school, private Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Day school, day and boarding school. It comprises a co-educational preparatory school from Prep to Year 6 and a middle school and senior s ...

. His father was the head of the theatrical firm J. C. Williamson's in the 1920s, and subsequently founded the theatre film production studio Efftee Studios in the 1930s, in Melbourne, Australia. He has been anachronistically claimed to have been the inventor of the clapperboard. Thring Sr. was also a noted film producer ('' The Sentimental Bloke''), and partner in the nationwide Australian theatre circuit Hoyts. Thring Sr. died in July 1936 at the age of 53, when Frank Jr. was 10 years old. His second wife (Frank Jr.'s mother) inherited all the businesses. Frank said his earliest memory is of his mother standing on a stepladder in the foyer of the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, and arranging gladioli in the vases attached to the pillars.

Career

His career spanned more than 45 years, much of it spent alternating between stage, film and television. Perhaps his most famous roles were that of

Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate (; ) was the Roman administration of Judaea (AD 6–135), fifth governor of the Judaea (Roman province), Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official wh ...

in '' Ben-Hur'' (1959) and Herod Antipas in ''

'' (1961).

Radio

Thring's family operated Melbourne radio station 3XY, from the opening of the station in 1935. He commenced working at 3XY as both a thespian and radio announcer in 1941, as a young man of 15. His numerous jobs at the microphone included being ''Uncle Frankie'' in the children's session. When Thring Sr died in 1936 (see above), Thring Jr.'s mother inherited the businesses. However, Thring Jr. incorrectly told people that he owned 3XY.

Stage

He began acting in professional stage roles after his discharge from the

Royal Australian Air Force The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the principal Air force, aerial warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Constitutionally the Governor-Gener ...

in 1945. He was memorable as Herod in Irene Mitchell's production of

Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential playwright ...

's ''

Salome Salome (; , related to , "peace"; ), also known as Salome III, was a Jews, Jewish princess, the daughter of Herod II and princess Herodias. She was granddaughter of Herod the Great and stepdaughter of Herod Antipas. She is known from the New T ...

'' at Melbourne's Arrow Theatre in 1951, and made his British theatrical debut in the same part in 1954. Two years later, he played Sir Lancelot Spratt in ''Doctor in the House'', which ran for 240 performances at the Victoria Palace in London. He was Saturninus in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre production of ''

Titus Andronicus ''The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus'', often shortened to ''Titus Andronicus'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1588 and 1593. It is thought to be Shakespeare's first t ...

'' with Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Anthony Quayle. He also played Captain Hook opposite Peggy Cummins' Peter Pan. Among his other acclaimed stage roles were

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 188 ...

's '' Arms and the Man'', Captain Ahab in

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...

's ''

Moby-Dick ''Moby-Dick; or, The Whale'' is an 1851 Epic (genre), epic novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is centered on the sailor Ishmael (Moby-Dick), Ishmael's narrative of the maniacal quest of Captain Ahab, Ahab, captain of the whaler ...

'', Falstaff in ''

Henry IV, Part 1 ''Henry IV, Part 1'' (often written as ''1 Henry IV'') is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the Battle of H ...

'', and

Bertolt Brecht Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht (10 February 1898 – 14 August 1956), known as Bertolt Brecht and Bert Brecht, was a German theatre practitioner, playwright, and poet. Coming of age during the Weimar Republic, he had his first successes as a p ...

's '' Life of Galileo''. Another stage role was in the musical '' Robert and Elizabeth'' opposite June Bronhill and Denis Quilley. Later in life he returned to the stage playing both butlers in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of '' The Importance of Being Earnest'' in 1988. His final stage appearance was in ''Humorists Read the Humorists'' at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1992.

Film

Thring first appeared on screen as a child in the 1932 Australian film '' The Sentimental Bloke'', directed by his father F. W. Thring. One of Thring's most well-known screen roles was as

in '' Ben-Hur'' (1959). He also appeared as Al-Kadir, Emir of

Valencia Valencia ( , ), formally València (), is the capital of the Province of Valencia, province and Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Valencian Community, the same name in Spain. It is located on the banks of the Turia (r ...

in ''

El Cid Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar ( – 10 July 1099) was a Castilian knight and ruler in medieval Spain. Fighting both with Christian and Muslim armies during his lifetime, he earned the Arabic honorific ("the Lord" or "the Master"), which would evolve i ...

'' (1961). Thring was also awarded the Erik Kuttner Award for Acting (1965). In addition to these roles, Thring played a barrister in '' The Case of Mrs. Loring'' (1958), the usurping king Aella ( Ælla of Northumbria) in '' The Vikings'' (1958) and Herod Antipas in ''

'' (1961). Thring is the only actor to portray on film both of the historical figures directly responsible for authorizing the crucifixion of Christ according to the

Gospels Gospel originally meant the Christian message (" the gospel"), but in the second century AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message was reported. In this sen ...

. He played numerous glowering bad guys in Hollywood epics of the 1950s and 1960s. Back in Australia, he starred opposite James Mason and a young Helen Mirren in

Michael Powell Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was an English filmmaker, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. Through their production company Powell and Pressburger, The Archers, they together wrote, produced ...

's film ''

Age of Consent The age of consent is the age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to Human sexual activity, sexual acts. Consequently, an adult who engages in sexual activity with a person younger than the age of consent is un ...

'' (1969), and appeared in two biographical films about famous

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s: ''

Ned Kelly Edward Kelly (December 185411 November 1880) was an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader, bank robber and convicted police-murderer. One of the last bushrangers, he is known for wearing armour of the Kelly gang, a suit of bulletproof ...

'' (1970) and '' Mad Dog Morgan'' (1976). He played suave gangsters in '' Alvin Rides Again'' (1974) and '' The Man from Hong Kong'' (1975). In his later years, his screen roles included the devilish Collector in '' Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'' (1985), and a comedic role as an

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featu ...

-like film director in the horror movie spoof, '' Howling III'' (1987).

Television

Thring's television credits include the Australian miniseries '' Against the Wind'' and '' Bodyline''. He was also the recurring villain Doctor Stark who would use mischievous means in attempts to steal Skippy and other animals out of Waratah National Park in several episodes of '' Skippy the Bush Kangaroo''. He also acted in commercials, particularly one in which he would glare at the camera saying "You do have your television licence. Don't you?". He had the lead roles in the 1959 ABC TV play ''

Treason Treason is the crime of attacking a state (polity), state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to Coup d'état, overthrow its government, spy ...

'', and the 1962 ABC play '' Light Me a Lucifer''.

Personal life

Off-screen, Thring was known for his flamboyant, often waspish, persona. He was featured in numerous TV commercials and guest-starring roles on popular weekly series, variety programs and quiz shows, often dressed in black funereal attire and other sinister costumes - the interior of his house was featured in an Australian TV program and the walls were also black. However, his acting career was interrupted by bouts of alcoholism and periods of ill health. Thring was appointed 1982's King of the Melbourne '' Moomba Festival.'' A reviewer wrote of Thring, "this doyenne icof film and theatre looked nothing short of majestic in his regal garb and riding on a thespian-inspired float". Thring was briefly married to actress Joan Cunliffe during the 1950s. The marriage ended in divorce. Cunliffe lived in London and was manager of both

Rudolf Nureyev Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (17 March 19386 January 1993) was a Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer. Nureyev is widely regarded as the preeminent male ballet dancer of his generation as well as one of the greatest ballet dancers of all ...

and

Margot Fonteyn Dame Margaret Evelyn de Arias Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, DBE ( Hookham; 18 May 191921 February 1991), known by the stage name Margot Fonteyn (), was an English ballerina. She spent her entire career as a dancer with th ...

. Thring was flamboyantly gay, but he wanted children and was greatly distressed when his marriage ended without issue. On 29 December 1994, Thring died from esophageal cancer, aged 68. He was cremated and his ashes scattered off the coast of Queenscliff, Victoria. A celebration of his life was held at the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, in 1995.

Filmography

*'' The Vikings'' (1958) – Aella *'' A Question of Adultery'' (1958) – Mr. Stanley *'' The Flaming Sword'' (1958) – Gar *'' Dick and the Duchess – "''The Courtroom" (1958 TV series) – Wembler *''

'' (1959) – Karl Albrecht *'' Ben Hur'' (1959) – Pontius Pilate *'' This Is Television'' (1960) - as himself *''

'' (1961) – Herod Antipas *''

'' (1961) – Al Kadir *'' Light Me a Lucifer'' (1962, TV Movie) – The Devil. *'' Photo Finish'' (1965 TV movie) – Sam Kinsale *'' Hey You!'' – "The Soup Kitchen" (1967 TV series) – Mr Goodly *'' Australian Playhouse'' – "The Heat's On" (1967 TV series) – Mr Paisley *'' Skippy the Bush Kangaroo'' – "Double Trouble"; "Trapped"; "Long Way Home" (1967 TV series) – Dr Stark *''

'' (1968) – Herod *''

'' (1969) – Godfrey *''

Delta Delta commonly refers to: * Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet * D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet * River delta, at a river mouth * Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...

– The Initiates'' (1969 TV series) – Dr Spencer *'' The Link Men'' – "See Amsterdam and Die" (1970 TV series) – Bruce Crane *''

'' (1970) – Judge Barry *'' The Man Who Shot the Albatross'' (1970 TV Movie) *'' Alvin Rides Again'' (1974) – Fingers *''

The Cherry Orchard ''The Cherry Orchard'' () is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by '' Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Pu ...

'' (1974 TV movie) *'' The Man from Hong Kong'' (1975) – Willard *'' Mad Dog Morgan'' (1976) – Superintendent Cobham *''Up the Convicts'' (1976 TV series) – Sgt Bastion *''The Importance of Keeping Perfectly Still'' (1977 short film) *'' Against the Wind – "''The Seeds of Fire"; "The Wild Goose" (1978 TV mini-series) – Magistrate *'' Outbreak of Love'' (1981 TV mini-series) – Arthur Langton *'' At Last... Bullamakanka: The Motion Picture'' (1983) – TV Producer *'' Eureka Stockade'' (1984 TV mini-series) – Judge *'' Bodyline – Episode 1.1'' (1984 TV mini-series) – Lord Harris *'' Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'' (1985) – The Collector *'' Death of a Soldier'' (1986) – Religious speaker *''The Steam-Driven Adventures of Riverboat Bill'' (1986) – voice *'' Howling III'' (1987) – Jack Citron *''The Devil in Evening Dress'' (1987) – Host *'' Mission: Impossible – "''Bayou" (1989 TV series) – Jake Morgan *'' Hercules Returns'' (1993) – Zeus (voice) (final film role)

Notes

References

External links

* Th
Frank Thring Collection
, at th
Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne

at liveperformance * {{DEFAULTSORT:Thring, Frank 1926 births 1994 deaths Australian male film actors Australian male television actors Male actors from Melbourne People educated at Melbourne Grammar School Australian gay actors Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state) 20th-century Australian male actors Australian people of German descent Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II 20th-century Australian LGBTQ people Eccentricity (behavior) Military personnel from Melbourne