The late American actor James Franciscus is still considered as one of the 1970s and 1980s superstars, having appeared in scores of films and television series. He had a number of great film appearances, but he is most known for his parts in hit television shows such as Mr. Novak, The Naked City, The Investigators, Longstreet, and others.

Early Years, Biography, And Family

Lorraine (mother) and John Allen Franciscus (father) gave birth to James Franciscus on July 8, 1991, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California (father). During World War II, his father, John, was killed in action. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. He had a brother named John Franciscus who was his sibling. His nationality was American, and he belonged to the White ethnicity.

James earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and theatre arts from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. He also received a magna cum laude from the university.

Wiki And Professional Career

James Franciscus began his acting career after college, with a role in the 1957 crime picture Four Boys and a Gun. Following his role in the hit TV series Naked City a year later, the actor shot to prominence. He also appeared with June Allyson in the CBS anthology series The DuPont Show.

I Passed for White, a film starring James, was released in 1960. From 1963 through 1965, he co-starred with Burgess Meredith and Dean Jagger in NBC’s Mr. Novak as the titular character. Longstreet on ABC was his other most successful television role. From 1971 until 1977, he co-starred in the series alongside Peter Mark Richman and Ann Doran.

James went on to work in a number of feature films, including Youngblood Hawke, Snow Treasure, The Amazing Dobermans, Marooned, and Beneath the Planet of the Apes, among others. In 1982, the actor starred alongside Pia Zadora, Ed McMahon, Orson Welles, and others in the film Butterfly.

Earnings, Net Worth, and Income

According to several trustworthy online sources, James Franciscus had a net worth of roughly $1 million at the time of his death. His main source of income was his appearances in a number of popular television shows and films. It is unknown how much money he earns or how much property he owns.

In 1980, he was cast in Nighkill alongside Jaclyn Smith, who has a net worth of $90 million as of 2019.

Wife, Marriage, and Relationship

On March 28, 1960, James Franciscus married Kathleen “Kitty” Wellman in a small wedding ceremony. His wife, Wellman, was the daughter of William A. Wellman, the famed cinema director. Jamie Franciscus, Corie Franciscus, Kellie Franciscus, and Jolie Franciscus are the couple’s four daughters.

However, on February 21, 1979, the couple divorced. James later married Carla Deen Ankney, his second wife, in 1980. He died on July 8, 1991, and they were together until then.

He stood at a height of 5 feet 10 inches.

Death

At the age of 57, James Franciscus died on July 8, 1991. In his home in North Hollywood, California, he died of emphysema.