I tried to post this before but an error came up. The original Frank Smith on General Hospital, George Gaynes, has died at age 98. He also co-starred in many films, and was Punky Brewster's "foster dad."



There's also a video up on youtube from his 95th birthday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3Tnf-w2Cg

The first episode of GH I ever saw was the non-wedding of Luke & Jennifer Smith on Frank's yacht and Scotty punching Luke overboard.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by applcin

I thought he'd already passed away. 

 

Sad news.

 

I remember him best from Punky Brewster, and Police Academy, but the bits I've seen of his GH work show that he was also more than capable of understated menace and dramatic work. A lost art for GH mobsters.

I knew he was still alive and I REALLY was hoping he would make it to 100. I was 4 in 1993 when the old Family Channel (later ABC Family) began showing Punky Brewster, so I became a fan then, and got the DVDs later on. He's also one of the best parts of the movie Tootsie. RIP. 

 

He also appeared on Search for Tommorow for a short stint as Sam Reynolds in 71.It was possibly a temp replacement situation.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by Paul Raven

I remember him best from Punky Brewster, and Police Academy, but the bits I've seen of his GH work show that he was also more than capable of understated menace and dramatic work. A lost art for GH mobsters.

It was the opposite for me. Having seen him first as the menacing Frank Smith who sent hit men after L & L, it was a bit strange at first to see him be comedic in Punky Brewster. I never saw the Police Academy films but I did see Tootsie back in the day.

Yes, Frank Smith was the sophisticated mob boss who sent the goons out. He wasn't a goon himself.

Aww...that's sweet.

I thought he'd already passed away. 

 

 

 

I remember him best from Punky Brewster, 

Same…

Some classic Frank Smith, starting around 5:05.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7WKzGwYb3U&list=PLsP9EUMF4fw8fWlKzoMy3116GRP7-pks_&index=153

Edited February 18, 201610 yr by applcin

Was Frank Smith the first mob character on the show?