Cast & creator
Gary Frank
Best known for The Love Boat, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Murder, She Wrote
Gary Frank (born October 9, 1950) is an acclaimed American actor most recognized for his portrayal of Willie Lawrence on the beloved 1970s ABC drama series Family. His sensitive performance on the show earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1977. Born in Spokane, Washington, Frank began his career as a child actor before gaining wider notice starring alongside Glynnis O'Connor in the 1974 series Sons and Daughters. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he became a prolific television presence, guest-starring on iconic programs such as Remington Steele, Murder, She Wrote, Matlock, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Beyond episodic TV, he appeared in notable television films like Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb and provided voice work for Batman: The Animated Series. As of 2024, Frank resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Carroll Newman, and has recently focused on writing his personal memoir.
26
film credits
27
television credits
51
1967–2025 · acting roles
6.9
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (53)
Showing 53 of 53 credits
The Love Boat
Dr. Barry Mason
1977
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Yedrin Dax
1993
Murder, She Wrote
Lee Callahan
1984
Magnum, P.I.
Jeff Spangler
1980
L.A. Law
Richard Visser
1986
Ironside
1967
Charlie's Angels
Ted Grainger
1976
Batman: The Animated Series
Dan Mockridge (voice)
1992
Matlock
Al Tomberg
1986Matlock
Doug Templitt
1986
T. J. Hooker
Brett Williams
1982
Hotel
Luther
1982
Hart to Hart
1979
Pacific Blue
Lenny Petrani
1996
Profiler
James Davison
1996
Remington Steele
Detective James Jarvis
1982
The Batman
Thanks
2022
Silk Stalkings
Seaside Strangler
1991
Hunter
Alan Rawling
1984
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
1983
Medical Center
1969
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
Matt Houston
1982
Friday the 13th: The Series
Winston Knight
1987
Family
Willie Lawrence
1976
Blacke's Magic
Tom Isaacs
1986
Whiz Kids
1983
Sons and Daughters
Jeff Reed
1974
The Distinguished Gentleman
Iowa
1992
People Like Us
Hubert Altemus
1990
Olivia
Self
1978
Nurses on the Line: The Crash of Flight 7
Len
1993
Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb
Maj. Tom Ferebee
1980
Deadly Weapon
Dalton
1989
Unspeakable Acts
Neil Harrison
1990
Enemy Territory
Barry
1987
Death in Small Doses
Bill Dillard Jr.
1995
Like Father, Like Santa
Smitty
1998
Prison of Secrets
Larry Schaffer
1997
Getting Up and Going Home
Scott Stevens
1992
The New Love Boat
Stanley Adams
1977
The Night the City Screamed
Ron Farrell
1980
The Gift
Pete Devlin
1979
Deliver Them from Evil: The Taking of Alta View
Dr. Garrick
1992How to Have a Happy Marriage
Narrator (voice)
2012
Emergency Room
Dr. Paul Klein
1983Love Is Not Forever
Jeff
1974
Giving Up the Ghost
2025Giving Up the Ghost
Thanks
2025
Midnight Lace
Brian Preston
1981
Senior Year
Jeff Reed
1974
Untamed Love
Eldridge
1994
Flying Blind
Jason
1990