Volume III: Biographies

FRAUNHOLZ, Fraunie *

Actor (1916)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: "Fraunie" Fraunholz was an actor with Thanhouser in 1916.

Biographical Notes: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, "Fraunie" Fraunholz was educated there in parochial schools. Although he studied to be an artist and sculptor, he followed a stage career. He appeared with Creston Clarke in Shakespeare plays, with Neil Burgess in County Fair, and spent 12 years specializing in comedy with what he called "high class" stock companies in America. An article in The Des Moines Register, November 6, 1910, stated that his current part in The Regeneration was the 400th role in his stage career, which spanned 13 years.

Fraunie Fraunholzs screen activities included employment with Solax for several years (his films included The Lady Doctor, A Woman of Fire and Sweet Molly O), Pathé, Universal, Metro (in early 1915), the short-lived Zenith Film Corporation (for whom he had completed four comedies, under the direction of Edward Warren, by June 1915), and Thanhouser. He was often seen in old mens roles. The October 1916 Motion Picture News Studio Directory listed his appearances in such productions as The Pit and the Pendulum, The Lure, The Heart of a Painted Woman, Her Own Way, Song of a Wage Slave, Barbara Frietchie, What Will People Say?, The Song of the Wage Slave, Other Peoples Money, The Girl With the Green Eyes, Sea Waif, The Sleeper, and The Soul Market. He also appeared in the Famous Players production of The Little Boy Scout.

In late 1915 through at least 1916 he was a leading man with Metro in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The 1918 edition of The Motion Picture Studio Directory noted that he was 58" tall, weighed 145 pounds, and had a light complexion, brown hair and gray eyes. At the time his address was care of the Screen Club, New York City.

Notes: His surname appeared as "Fraunholtz" in some notices. During World War I, at which time there was an anti-German sentiment in America, he changed his name to Fraunie French.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1916: Other Peoples Money (6-1-1916)

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