Gilchrist Stuart (born Derek Grist; 19 January 1919—8 June 1977Variety International Showbusiness Reference by Mike Kaplan, page 1132. Garland Pub., 1981) was a British actor. He was probably best known for playing Franz, the butler of Captain Von Trapp in Academy Award winning film The Sound of Music. He was sometimes credited as Gil Stuart.
Biography He was born in London as Derek Grist. He studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He came to Hollywood under contract to Metro Goldwyn Meyer.
Career Stuart played supporting or minor roles in such films as A Yank in the R.A.F., where he played Wales, Sword in the Desert, Designing Woman, Assault on a Queen, Morituri, Doctor Dolittle. He also appeared in films with his The Sound of Music co-stars: he appeared in Forever Amber and The Lost World alongside Richard Haydn, and in Star! alongside Julie Andrews. He also appeared as an actor in episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour titled A Nice Touch, opposite Anne Baxter and George Segal, as well as in other television shows. He appeared in Red Skelton Show for the period of over 16 years.
His most notable role was in film The Sound of Music, which won five Oscars. He played the butler of captain Georg von Trapp. In the beginning of the film, Maria mistakes him for the captain. He was recommended by another member of the film's team and was a familiar face to director Robert Wise, who offered him the role shortly before the start of the filming in March 1964. In her memoir Forever Liesl: A Memoir of The Sound of Music, Charmian Carr described him as "a marvelous character actor, very reserved", and being part of the "British group" of actors on the set.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1941 Charley's Aunt Teammate Uncredited1941 A Yank in the R.A.F. Wales 1947 Forever Amber Cavalier Uncredited1948 Fighter Squadron English Photographer Uncredited1949 Sword in the Desert Radio Operator 1950 When Willie Comes Marching Home British Lieutenant Uncredited1950 Fancy Pants Wicket Keeper Uncredited1952 Bronco Buster McDermott Uncredited1952 Botany Bay Sailor Uncredited1953 Rogue's March Andy Uncredited1953 The Desert Rats Captain Uncredited1953 East of Sumatra Mr. Vickers Uncredited1953 King of the Khyber Rifles Officer of the Week Uncredited1955 The Sea Chase Fisherman Uncredited1955 The Scarlet Coat Officer Uncredited1955 The King's Thief Clerk Uncredited1957 Designing Woman Mr. Orvac Uncredited1957 Les Girls English Photographer Uncredited1957 The Devil's Hairpin Salesman Uncredited1960 The Lost World Reporter Uncredited1962 Mutiny on the Bounty Minor Role Uncredited1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Actor Season 2 Episode 2: "A Nice Touch"1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Ralph the Butler Season 3 Episode 18: "The Trap"1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour British Man Season 3 Episode 26: "The Monkey's Paw - A Retelling"1965 The Sound of Music Franz 1965 Morituri Englishman Uncredited1965 Do Not Disturb Man in Cab Uncredited1966 Assault on a Queen Officer #1 1967 Doctor Dolittle The Vicar Uncredited1968 Star! Footman Uncredited1969 Hook, Line & Sinker Night Manager Uncredited1969 Justine British Army Officer Uncredited1970 Which Way to the Front? Mr. Firestone, the Tailor Uncredited1971 The Andromeda Strain Man Uncredited1972 Hickey & Boggs Farrow 1972 Sanford and Son
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