Frankie Faison
Frankie Faison - A Look at His Acting Career
Frankie Faison is a face many recognize from screens big and small, a true presence in the world of acting. He has, you know, been around for quite a while, bringing characters to life in a way that feels very real and, in some respects, very honest. For someone who has watched a lot of movies or television, there's a pretty good chance you've seen him play a part or two. He tends to be one of those performers who just makes a scene better by being there, really.
You might remember him as the police commissioner on that show, *The Wire*, or perhaps as the helpful fellow from the *Coming to America* movies. He's also been in some pretty intense thrillers, like the ones with Hannibal Lecter, which is, actually, a fascinating detail about his work. His ability to fit into so many different kinds of stories, from serious dramas to outright comedies, is, frankly, something quite special.
This piece will take a closer look at what makes Frankie Faison such a memorable person in acting, exploring his long list of contributions and the sorts of parts he's taken on. We will, in fact, go through some of the big moments from his time working in film and television, giving you a better sense of his acting journey.
Table of Contents
- Who is Frankie Faison - A Quick Look at His Life?
- Early Days for Frankie Faison
- What Roles Define Frankie Faison's Work?
- The Wire's Impact with Frankie Faison
- Frankie Faison's Memorable Movie Appearances
- How Does Frankie Faison Approach His Craft?
- Frankie Faison on Stage and Screen
- Where Can You See More Frankie Faison?
Who is Frankie Faison - A Quick Look at His Life?
Frankie Russel Faison, who people often call Frankie R. Faison, came into the world on June 10, 1949. He was born in a place called Newport News, Virginia, which is, you know, where his story really begins. This was a time when the world was changing a lot, coming out of World War II, and it was the start of what people call the baby boomer years. Technology, as a matter of fact, was also starting to make its way into everyday life. So, he grew up during a period of considerable shifts.
His parents were Carmena, whose maiden name was Gantt, and Edgar. He speaks fondly of his early years, describing Newport News as a truly good place to be raised. It was, he has said, an amazing neighborhood, and even though it was separated by race, he remembers it in a way that felt positive to him. This background, perhaps, shaped some of the qualities he brings to his acting work, like a deep sense of character and, frankly, a connection to the human experience.
Here's a little bit more about Frankie Faison, just some quick details:
| Full Name | Frankie Russel Faison |
| Birth Date | June 10, 1949 |
| Birth Place | Newport News, Virginia, USA |
| Parents | Carmena (née Gantt) and Edgar Faison |
| Occupation | Actor |
Early Days for Frankie Faison
Frankie Faison began his acting path fairly early on. His first professional acting opportunity came about in 1974. This was with the New York Shakespeare Festival, in a production of *King Lear*. What's interesting is that he shared the stage with a very well-known performer, James Earl Jones, who played the main part. This early experience, you know, set the stage for a career that would include many different kinds of performances, both on a stage and for cameras.
It's pretty clear that starting out in such a serious theater production gave him a strong foundation. He later worked with James Earl Jones again, which, in a way, shows how he made connections and built a reputation early on. These beginnings, in fact, hint at the sort of dedicated performer he would become, someone who takes his work seriously and really tries to get into the heart of a character.
What Roles Define Frankie Faison's Work?
When you think about Frankie Faison, certain parts probably come to mind right away. He has a knack for playing people who feel solid and real, whether they are in positions of power or just trying to get by. His ability to make even smaller parts stand out is, you know, a real mark of his skill. He has, apparently, appeared in a wide variety of productions, showing that he can handle many different kinds of stories.
One of the parts that people talk about a lot is his time on the HBO television show, *The Wire*. In that program, he played Ervin Burrell, who started as a deputy commissioner and then became the commissioner. This role really let him show a lot of different feelings and sides to a person in charge, making the character feel very believable. It was, in fact, a part that allowed him to be seen by a great many people and showed what he could do.
Beyond that, he's also recognized for playing Barney Matthews. This character was in *The Silence of the Lambs*, and what's pretty cool is that Frankie Faison was the only performer to be in all three of the movies that had Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter. That's, you know, a pretty unique achievement and something that fans of those thrillers would definitely remember. It shows his consistent presence in some really popular films.
The Wire's Impact with Frankie Faison
His work as Ervin Burrell on *The Wire* is, arguably, one of the roles that many people connect with Frankie Faison the most. The show itself was praised for being very realistic about city life and crime, and his portrayal of the police commissioner added a lot to that feeling of authenticity. He played a person who had to deal with a lot of pressure, both from the outside and from within the police department. This part, in some respects, gave him a chance to show a range of emotions and the difficulties of being in charge.
The character of Burrell was, you know, someone who had to make tough choices and often found himself in difficult spots. Frankie Faison brought a sense of weight and seriousness to the part, making Burrell a person you could understand, even if you didn't always agree with his actions. It's pretty clear that his presence on the show helped make it the kind of deep and important program that it became. His contributions to *The Wire* are, frankly, a big part of his acting story.
Frankie Faison's Memorable Movie Appearances
Frankie Faison has been in a lot of movies that people really enjoy. For instance, he was in *Coming to America* from 1988, which is a comedy that many people still love. He also appeared in its follow-up, *Coming 2 America*, which came out later. These roles, in a way, show his ability to do comedy and be a part of something that brings a lot of smiles to people's faces.
He was also in Spike Lee's *Do the Right Thing* in 1989, playing a character named Coconut Sid. That film is, you know, a very important piece of cinema, and his part in it adds to its rich feeling. Then there's *White Chicks* from 2004, which is another comedy that shows his lighter side. He tends to be someone who can move between very serious stories and those that are just for fun, which is, honestly, a great skill for an actor.
Beyond these, he was also in *Betsy's Wedding* in 1990, playing Zack Monroe. And for television watchers, he played William Bailey in several seasons of *Grey's Anatomy*, appearing in seasons six, nine, fourteen, and seventeen. This just goes to show, you know, how often he's been on our screens and how many different kinds of parts he has taken on. His filmography is, pretty much, full of interesting projects.
How Does Frankie Faison Approach His Craft?
It seems pretty clear that Frankie Faison is someone who puts a lot into his acting work. He is often described as an actor who can do many different kinds of parts, whether it's on a stage, in a movie, or on television. This ability to shift between various types of roles and performances is, you know, a sign of a very capable performer. He's someone who, in some respects, brings a genuine quality to each character he takes on.
People who talk about his work often mention his consistency and how he always seems to bring a solid performance. He has, apparently, a way of making his characters feel real, like people you might actually meet. This comes from, you know, a deep care for the story and the people within it. He tends to be someone who understands the nuances of a role, which helps him create truly memorable figures on screen.
Frankie Faison on Stage and Screen
From his early days performing Shakespeare, Frankie Faison has shown a commitment to acting that spans different kinds of platforms. Being able to perform live on a stage requires a different set of skills than acting for a camera, and he has done both very well. This versatility, in a way, highlights his dedication to his chosen path. He's not just a screen actor; he's a performer who has, frankly, spent years perfecting his ability to tell stories.
His stage work, which began back in the 1970s, gave him a strong foundation in understanding characters and how to present them to an audience. This experience, you know, likely helped him bring a certain depth to his film and television roles. Whether he's delivering lines to a live crowd or for a close-up shot, he appears to approach each part with a similar level of thought and feeling. It's pretty cool to see someone who can move so easily between these different ways of acting.
Where Can You See More Frankie Faison?
If you're curious to see more of Frankie Faison's acting work, there are plenty of places to look. Websites that keep track of movies and television shows often have a full list of everything he has been in. You can, for instance, find his complete filmography on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, which shows every movie and TV show he has been a part of. This is, you know, a good way to discover parts you might not have known about.
He has also been in more recent projects, like *Till*, *Redemption in Cherry Springs* from 2021, and *Fatherhood*, also from 2021. He was also in *I'm Your Woman*. These newer works show that he is still very active in acting and continues to take on interesting roles. So, if you're looking to catch up on his contributions, there's, frankly, a lot of material to explore, from older classics to more current productions. You can pretty much find his work across many different streaming platforms and movie libraries.
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