Charles Fredericks

Biography

Charles Fredericks was an American actor and singer known for television Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Columbus, he began singing professionally at Denver's Brown Palace Hotel before moving into vaudeville and Catskills stage work. He played the governor in The Red Mill for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, then won a George Jean Nathan Award for his performance as Gaylord Ravenal in a 1946 Broadway revival of Show Boat, and he was chosen to repeat the part in the film. His stage credits also included the 1947 production of Music in My Heart, a lead in Music in the Air in Los Angeles, and a 1953 tour of Guys and Dolls as Sky Masterson. On television he appeared on Gunsmoke, Maverick, Bat Masterson, and Colt .45. He played the singing King in My Fair Lady (1964) and died in 1970.

51years old at death

Born September 5, 1918Columbus
Died May 14, 1970Sherman Oaks
Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 1 year1961 to 1962

Every film, newest first

1962Hemingway's Adventures of a Young ManIMDb rating 6.3
1962The Cabinet of CaligariIMDb rating 5.8
1961A Fever in the BloodIMDb rating 6.5

Genres

Did you know?!

Behind the award
Fredericks starred as Gaylord Ravenal in the 1946 Broadway revival of Show Boat, earning him the George Jean Nathan Award, and he was picked to play that same part in the film of that title.
A first
Fredericks entered competitions and did well. One contest named him Mississippi's top male singer, while a second gave him a scholarship for singing.
A role that slipped away
In 1948, Fredericks portrayed a minister in My Romance at Boston's Shubert Theatre and other venues, but the revised version that reached Broadway replaced him.