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 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).[a]
Thring was the son of F. W. Thring and Olive (née Kreitmeyer), and was educated at the Melbourne Grammar School. 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.[2] 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.[3] 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 in Ben-Hur (1959) and Herod Antipas in King of Kings (1961).[4]
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.[1] 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.[1]
Stage
He began acting in professional stage roles after his discharge from the Royal Australian Air Force in 1945. He was memorable as Herod in Irene Mitchell's production of Oscar Wilde's Salome at Melbourne's Arrow Theatre in 1951,[5] 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.[6]
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.[10]
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?".[11]
Off-screen, Thring was known for his flamboyant, often waspish, persona.[12] 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.[13] However, his acting career was interrupted by bouts of alcoholism and periods of ill health.
Thring was appointed 1982 King of Moomba, "this doyenne [sic] of film and theatre looked nothing short of majestic in his regal garb and riding on a thespian-inspired float".[14]
Thring was briefly married to actress Joan Cunliffe during the 1950s. The marriage ended in divorce. Joan lived in London, and was manager of both Rudolf Nureyev and Dame Margot Fonteyn. Thring was flamboyantly gay,[15][16] but he wanted children and was greatly distressed when his marriage ended without issue.[12]
In 1994, Thring died from oesophageal 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.[17][18]
The Dictionary of Performing Arts in Australia – Theatre . Film . Radio . Television – Volume 1 – Ann Atkinson, Linsay Knight, Margaret McPhee – Allen & Unwin Pty. Ltd., 1996.[20]
The Australian Film and Television Companion – compiled by Tony Harrison – Simon & Schuster Australia, 1994.[21]
The Two Frank Thrings – Peter Fitzpatrick – Monash University Publishing, 2012.[22]
Notes
^F. W. Thring (1812–1887), actually had two sons, both of whom were given their father's name. The first of these was illegitimate, but the second was born after his marriage, and the Thring line continued through the legitimate son.[1]
References
^ abcPeter Fitzpatrick, The Two Frank Thrings, Monash University Publishing, Melbourne, 2012
^Holroyd, J. P., "Thring, Francis William (Frank) (1882–1936)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 September 2018
^ ab"The Real Thring". ABC Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
^ abDawes, Sally (1995). "Frank Thring". In Parsons, Philip (ed.). Companion to Theatre in Australia. Currency Press. ISBN0-86819-357-7.
^Mikul, Chris. (2012). The eccentropedia : the most unusual people who have ever lived. Smith, Glenn. London: Headpress. ISBN9781909394018. OCLC825076866.
^A Tribute to Frank, booklet published for the celebration of Thring's memory, Victorian Arts Centre Playhouse, 5 March 1995
^Van Straten, Frank (2007). "Frank Thring 1926-1994". Live Performance Australia. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
