Francine York
Encyclopedia
Francine York is an American movie actress.
She was born Francine Yerich, the daughter of Frank and Sophie Yerich, in Aurora, Minnesota
. At an early age she developed an interest in performance. She won a local beauty contest then placed first runner-up in the Miss Minnesota pageant. After attempting a career as an airline stewardess
, then winning the Miss San Francisco beauty contest and working as a model, she became an actress.
Her first film credit was for the 1961 The Right Approach
by director David Butler
, but her first appearance in a feature film was in Secret File: Hollywood (1962). After receiving a good review for her role in The Sergeant was a Lady (1961), this led to a series of roles opposite Jerry Lewis
: Its Only Money (1962), The Nutty Professor
(1963), The Disorderly Orderly
(1964), The Family Jewels
(1965) and Cracking Up
(1982). She played roles in the comedic film Bedtime Story
(1964) with Marlon Brando
and David Niven
, then in Tickle Me
(1965) with Elvis Presley
. Francine then won a role in the critically acclaimed television series Slattery's People
. She had a starring role in the science fiction film Space Monster (1965).
In 1970, she gained some notoriety for a brief nude scene in Cannon for Cordoba
. She appeared as a guest star in several episodes of The Wild Wild West
television series with Robert Conrad
. Francine appeared in three episodes of Love, American Style
, and in many individual episodes of series such as Beverly Hills 90210, Brothers, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
, The Love Boat
, Mama's Family
, Riptide
, and The Streets of San Francisco
. She had a role in the drive-in film Welcome Home, Soldier Boys (1972). Ted V. Mikels
then cast her as the lead in the film The Doll Squad (1973), which may have served as the inspiration for the television series Charlie's Angels
. From 1971–1983, she played a recurring role as Madame Thelma in the daytime television drama General Hospital
.
She was born Francine Yerich, the daughter of Frank and Sophie Yerich, in Aurora, Minnesota
Aurora, Minnesota
Aurora is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,682 at the 2010 census.State Highway 135, County Highway 100, and County Highway 110 are three of the main arterial routes in the community.-Geography:...
. At an early age she developed an interest in performance. She won a local beauty contest then placed first runner-up in the Miss Minnesota pageant. After attempting a career as an airline stewardess
Flight attendant
Flight attendants or cabin crew are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.-History:The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar...
, then winning the Miss San Francisco beauty contest and working as a model, she became an actress.
Her first film credit was for the 1961 The Right Approach
The Right Approach
The Right Approach is a 1961 film directed by David Butler. It stars Frankie Vaughan and Martha Hyer.-Cast:*Frankie Vaughan as Leo Mack*Martha Hyer as Anne Perry*Juliet Prowse as Ursula Poe*Gary Crosby as Rip Hullet*David McLean as Bill Sukolovic...
by director David Butler
David Butler
David Butler may refer to:*David Butler , first governor of Nebraska*David Butler , UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball player...
, but her first appearance in a feature film was in Secret File: Hollywood (1962). After receiving a good review for her role in The Sergeant was a Lady (1961), this led to a series of roles opposite Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
: Its Only Money (1962), The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor is a 1963 Paramount Pictures science fiction comedy feature film produced, directed, co-written and starring Jerry Lewis...
(1963), The Disorderly Orderly
The Disorderly Orderly
The Disorderly Orderly is a 1964 American comedy film released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Jerry Lewis. The film was produced by Paul Jones with a screenplay by director Frank Tashlin, based on a story by Norm Liebermann and Ed Haas.-Plot:...
(1964), The Family Jewels
The Family Jewels (film)
The Family Jewels is a 1965 American comedy film. It was filmed from January 18-April 2, 1965 and was released by Paramount Pictures on July 1, 1965. The film was co-written, directed, and produced by Jerry Lewis who also played seven roles in the film...
(1965) and Cracking Up
Cracking Up
For the movie, see Cracking Up .Cracking Up is an American television sitcom created by School of Rock writer Mike White, who also served as the series' head writer. It aired on the Fox Network on Monday nights from March to May 2004. The title of the program and the name of the psychiatrist, Dr...
(1982). She played roles in the comedic film Bedtime Story
Bedtime Story (film)
Bedtime Story is a 1964 comedy film made by Pennebaker Productions, The Lankershim Company and Universal Pictures. It was directed by Ralph Levy and produced by Stanley Shapiro with Robert Arthur as executive producer from a screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. The music score was by...
(1964) with Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
and David Niven
David Niven
James David Graham Niven , known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom", in The Pink Panther...
, then in Tickle Me
Tickle Me
Tickle Me is a 1965 Western musical comedy film starring Elvis Presley as a champion rodeo bull-rider and bronco-buster. Elvis Presley won a 1966 Golden Laurel Award as the best male actor in a musical film for his role in this comedy. It is also the only Elvis film released by Allied Artists...
(1965) with Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Francine then won a role in the critically acclaimed television series Slattery's People
Slattery's People
Slattery's People is a 1964-1965 American television series about local politics starring Richard Crenna as title character James Slattery, a state legislator, co-starring Ed Asner and Tol Avery, and featuring Carroll O'Connor and Warren Oates in a couple of episodes each. James E. Moser was...
. She had a starring role in the science fiction film Space Monster (1965).
In 1970, she gained some notoriety for a brief nude scene in Cannon for Cordoba
Cannon for Cordoba
Cannon for Cordoba was a western film that was released in 1970. Filmed in Spain, the large part of the movie takes place in Mexico in 1912...
. She appeared as a guest star in several episodes of The Wild Wild West
The Wild Wild West
The Wild Wild West is an American television series that ran on CBS for four seasons from September 17, 1965 to April 4, 1969....
television series with Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad is an American actor. He is best known for his role in the 1965 CBS television series The Wild Wild West, in which he played the sophisticated Secret Service agent James T. West, and his portrayal of World War II ace Pappy Boyington in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep...
. Francine appeared in three episodes of Love, American Style
Love, American Style
Love, American Style is an hour-long TV anthology produced by Paramount Television and originally aired between September 1969 and January 1974...
, and in many individual episodes of series such as Beverly Hills 90210, Brothers, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a live-action American television series based on the Superman comic books...
, The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
, Mama's Family
Mama's Family
Mama's Family is an American television sitcom that premiered on NBC on January 22, 1983. It was cancelled in May 1984, but NBC would continue to air reruns until September 1985. In September 1986, Mama's Family returned in first-run syndication, where it aired for an additional four seasons,...
, Riptide
Riptide (TV series)
Riptide is a TV detective series that ran on NBC from 1983 to 1986, starring Perry King, Joe Penny, and Thom Bray. Riptide was created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The main theme was composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter...
, and The Streets of San Francisco
The Streets of San Francisco
The Streets of San Francisco is a 1970s television police drama filmed on location in San Francisco, California, and produced by Quinn Martin Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros...
. She had a role in the drive-in film Welcome Home, Soldier Boys (1972). Ted V. Mikels
Ted V. Mikels
Ted V. Mikels is an American filmmaker of independent cult films. Mikels was also known for his home life, as he once lived with a harem in a Glendale, California castle that contained secret passageways....
then cast her as the lead in the film The Doll Squad (1973), which may have served as the inspiration for the television series Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
. From 1971–1983, she played a recurring role as Madame Thelma in the daytime television drama General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
.