HOLLYWOOD -- Eduard Franz, a character actor who co-starred with Ethel Barrymore on Broadway and appeared most recently in TV's 'Hart To Hart' series, has died at age 80, a family spokesman announced Friday.
Franz, best known for his role as a doctor in the 1963-64 television medical series 'Breaking Point,' died at a Century City hospital after a long illness, Mike Bremer, a family friend, said.
The actor's sole survivor is his wife, Margaret.
Franz, who was born in Milwaukee on Oct. 31, 1902, was one of the original members of the famed Provincetown Players, who appeared with Paul Robeson in 'The Emperor Jones' and with Walter Huston in 'Desire Under the Elms,' among other presentations.
He came to Hollywood from the New York stage in 1947 to appear in such films as 'The Magnificent Yankee,' 'The Ten Commandments,' 'The Miracle,' 'A Certain Smile,' 'The Jazz Singer,' 'How the West Was Won' and 'Hatari.'
In 1958 he played a character role in TV's 'Zorro' series, which starred Guy Williams.
More recently, Franz appeared in supporting roles in motion pictures and in episodic TV shows, including 'Hart to Hart.'
He starred with Ethel Barrymore in 'Embezzled Heaven' and performed on Broadway in other hits including 'Home of The Brave,' 'The Cherry Orchard' and 'Cafe Crown.'
Bremer, who said he was not sure if there would be a funeral, said there will be a memorial service, for Franz's friends, to be announced later.
