John Friedrich (actor): Difference between revisions

Another of Friedrich's most recognizable roles was as Frank Cleary, the oldest of the Cleary brothers, in the 1983 mini-series, ''[[The_Thorn_Birds_The Thorn Birds (TV_miniseriesTV miniseries)|The Thorn Birds]]''; based on the novel by [[Colleen McCullough]]. In both The Thorn Birds, and Friedrich's final film release, The Final Terror, he worked with the British actress [[Rachel Ward]].

At the peak of his career with The Thorn Birds; Friedrich retired to New Mexico, married, started a family, and began a career as a financial consultant.<ref>http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/05/04/features/story07.html</ref> He also became something of a cult icon as his films developed a cult following. Rumors persisted about him, including one recurring myth that he was working as a live-in gardener for his Wanderers co-star, [[Ken Wahl]] ,<ref>http://www.markallencam.com/?p=99</ref>, who had gone on to success in the television series [[Wiseguy]].

There has also been confusion between the film actor, and an Australian criminal and former government official of the same name who committed suicide in 1991. At least one website, listing actors (Answers.com) has claimed that the actor and the criminal, [[John Friedrich]], are one and the same .<ref>http://www.markallencam.com/?p=99</ref>.

In 2007, Friedrich resurfaced when he appeared on stage at the [[University of Hawai'i]] to discuss his films with UH professor, Marc Moody. During this stage appearance, Friedrich shared anecdotes of his decade-long career and commented that he would like to return to acting, to "complete that chapter" in his life .<ref>http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/05/04/features/story07.html</ref>.

| DATE OF BIRTH = March 15, 1958