Search the Encyclopedia Mavericana:   ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Wayne, Fredd

Born October 17, 1924;
Akron, Ohio, USA

Maverick Actor

Immediately after graduating from high school, Fredd Wayne left his home town of Akron for Hollywood, hoping to break into acting by working with his cousin, Lester Cowan, who had produced W. C. Fields' movie "My Little Chicadee" and several Marx Brothers films. Unfortunately, Cowen had nothing for him. Upon is induction into the Army, he became a non-commissioned officer as an Entertainment Specialist, allowing him to write, produce and perform in military productions.

After world War II, he took acting classes in New York City with classmates Lee Marvin, James Whitmore and Martin Balsam. He broke into Broadway which led to an early film career and eventually into television.

Wayne is probably best known for his extensively researched one-man show portraying Benjamin Franklin. His performances led to appearances on The Tonight Show and The Today Show and a popular two-part episode of Bewitched.

He continued playing many character roles on television through the 1990s, included a role opposite James Garner in the 1978 episode of The Rockford Files, "The Gang at Don's Drive-In."[1]