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Gilchrist Stuart

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Gilchrist Stuart
Born
Derek Grist

19 January 1919
Died8 June 1977(1977-06-08) (aged 58)
OccupationActor

Gilchrist Stuart (born Derek Grist; 19 January 1919—8 June 1977[1]) was a British actor. He was probably best known for playing Franz, the butler of Captain Von Trapp in Academy Award winning film The Sound of Music. He was sometimes credited as Gil Stuart.

Biography

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He was born in London as Derek Grist. He studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He came to Hollywood under contract to Metro Goldwyn Meyer.[2]

Career

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Stuart played supporting or minor roles in such films as A Yank in the R.A.F., where he played Wales, Sword in the Desert,[3] Designing Woman, Assault on a Queen, Morituri, Doctor Dolittle.[2] He also appeared in films with his The Sound of Music co-stars: he appeared in Forever Amber and The Lost World alongside Richard Haydn, and in Star! alongside Julie Andrews. He also appeared as an actor in episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour titled A Nice Touch, opposite Anne Baxter and George Segal,[4] as well as in other television shows. He appeared in Red Skelton Show for the period of over 16 years.

His most notable role was in film The Sound of Music, which won five Oscars. He played the butler of captain Georg von Trapp. In the beginning of the film, Maria mistakes him for the captain. He was recommended by another member of the film's team and was a familiar face to director Robert Wise, who offered him the role shortly before start of the filming in March 1964.[5] In her memoir Forever Liesl: A Memoir of The Sound of Music, Charmian Carr described him as "a marvelous character actor, very reserved", and being part of the "British group" of actors on the set.[6]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1941 Charley's Aunt Teammate Uncredited
1941 A Yank in the R.A.F. Wales
1947 Forever Amber Cavalier Uncredited
1948 Fighter Squadron English Photographer Uncredited
1949 Sword in the Desert Radio Operator
1950 When Willie Comes Marching Home British Lieutenant Uncredited
1950 Fancy Pants Wicket Keeper Uncredited
1952 Bronco Buster McDermott Uncredited
1952 Botany Bay Sailor Uncredited
1953 Rogue's March Andy Uncredited
1953 The Desert Rats Captain Uncredited
1953 East of Sumatra Mr. Vickers Uncredited
1953 King of the Khyber Rifles Officer of the Week Uncredited
1955 The Sea Chase Fisherman Uncredited
1955 The Scarlet Coat Officer Uncredited
1955 The King's Thief Clerk Uncredited
1957 Designing Woman Mr. Orvac Uncredited
1957 Les Girls English Photographer Uncredited
1957 The Devil's Hairpin Salesman Uncredited
1960 The Lost World Reporter Uncredited
1962 Mutiny on the Bounty Minor Role Uncredited
1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Actor Season 2 Episode 2: "A Nice Touch"
1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Ralph the Butler Season 3 Episode 18: "The Trap"
1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour British Man Season 3 Episode 26: "The Monkey's Paw - A Retelling"
1965 The Sound of Music Franz
1965 Morituri Englishman Uncredited
1965 Do Not Disturb Man in Cab Uncredited
1966 Assault on a Queen Officer #1
1967 Doctor Dolittle The Vicar Uncredited
1968 Star! Footman Uncredited
1969 Hook, Line & Sinker Night Manager Uncredited
1969 Justine British Army Officer Uncredited
1970 Which Way to the Front? Mr. Firestone, the Tailor Uncredited
1971 The Andromeda Strain Man Uncredited
1972 Hickey & Boggs Farrow
1972 Sanford and Son

References

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  1. ^ Variety International Showbusiness Reference by Mike Kaplan, page 1132. Garland Pub., 1981
  2. ^ a b Julia Antopol Hirsch (2018). Sound of Music: The Making of America's Favorite Movie. Chicago Review Press. p. 224. ISBN 0912777400.
  3. ^ James McKay (2010). Dana Andrews: The Face of Noir. McFarland. p. 256. ISBN 0786446145.
  4. ^ Harris M. Lentz (1983). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits. McFarland. ISBN 0899500714.
  5. ^ Tom Santopietro (2015). The Sound of Music Story: How A Beguiling Young Novice, A Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 1466870591.
  6. ^ Carr, Charmian; Strauss, Jean A. S. (March 15, 2001). Forever Liesl: A Memoir of the Sound of Music. New York: Penguin. ISBN 978-0140298406. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
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