Frank Bacon

Frank Bacon was an American actor and playwright born in California in 1864. After years of working in theater without major fame, he broke through late in life with Lightnin', the 1918 comedy-drama he co-wrote with Winchell Smith and starred in as the lovable Bill Jones. The play became a major Broadway success and made Bacon widely known.

Before his stage career fully took off, he is also described in reliable reference sources as having worked as a journalist and photographer. That varied background fits the grounded, plainspoken quality audiences admired in his performances.

Bacon died in Chicago in 1922 while Lightnin' was still a success on tour. His career is often remembered as a rare and encouraging story of recognition arriving after long years of steady work.