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Frank DeKova

Frank DeKova

Actor · Died October 15, 1981, aged 71 · New York City, New York, USA

Frank DeKova parlayed a sinister scowl, piercing eyes and an all-around menacing attitude into a long career of playing cold-blooded trigger-men, rampaging Indian chiefs, brutal Mexican army officers and the like. So it would probably come as a shock to those who know his work to discover that, before he became an actor, he was--of all things--a schoolteacher. Born in New York in 1910, DeKova gave up teaching for the stage, and played in many Shakespearean productions before getting work on Broadway. One of his first starring roles was in the classic detective play "Detective Story", which got him noticed and brought to Hollywood. He debuted in Viva Zapata! (1952) as the devious Mexican colonel who sets up Zapata's assassination. For the next several years he played an assortment of gangsters, killers, gunfighters and Indians--with time out to play a prehistoric patriarch in Roger Corman's campy Teenage Cave Man (1958)--and did much television work, including a standout job as a Mafia hit-man assigned to kill Elliot Ness in Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: The Untouchables: Part 1 (1959). The role for which he will be most remembered, however, is probably the one that was his most atypical: the scheming, somewhat untrustworthy but very funny Hekawi Chief Wild Eagle, the partner to Forrest Tucker's Sgt. O'Rourke in O'Rourke's various schemes to make money, in the western comedy series F Troop (1965). He showed a previously unknown talent for comedy and managed to steal most of the scenes he was in from such veterans as Tucker and Larry Storch. He died in his sleep in 1981.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 17, 1910
Died
October 15, 1981 (aged 71)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
57 on MovieCove · 116 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 23% in 30 days

What are Frank DeKova's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Adventure9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
20%
Bonds
19%
Power
17%
Self
17%
Society
12%
Survival
11%
Ideas
3%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 8 · Dark 11

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 14 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 19 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 16 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 12 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 4 of 9 analyzed roles.

Shadow
4 of 9
Threshold guardian
2 of 9
Ally
1 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Mentor
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
21
Thrilling
7
Melancholic
9
Absurd
7
Contemplative
6
Other
24

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous6
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Frank DeKova's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 57 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frank DeKova's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

116 credits, 57 with a MovieCove page.

  • Hey Good Lookin'(1982)

    as Old Vinnie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • American Pop(1981)

    as Crisco (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Mafia on the Bounty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Rupolo

  • Cat in the Cage(1978)

    as Rachid Khan

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Incredible Hulk(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Swiss Family Robinson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Coonskin(1974)

    as Managan (voice) / Ruby (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Firecloud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as White Eagle

  • Crossfire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Albert Ambrose

  • Baretta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes(1974)

    as Big Tony (as Frank deKova)

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Police Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Vito Angelo

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Nova

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Little House on the Prairie(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chief Kilowatt

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Run, Joe, Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Don Is Dead(1973)

    as Giunta

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Toma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Slams(1973)

    as Capiello

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Heavy Traffic(1973)

    as Angelo "Angie" Corleone (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Frasier, the Sensuous Lion(1973)

    as The Man

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Mechanic(1972)

    as The Man

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Wild Country(1970)

    as Two Dog

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil Kalama

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • It Takes a Thief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gen. Tashkov

  • The High Chaparral (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Aguirre

  • The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Dracus · as Faber

  • F Troop(1965)

    Show 65 episodes · as Chief Wild Eagle · as Wild Eagle

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told(1965)

    as The tormentor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Sword of Ali Baba(1965)

    as Old Baba

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Those Calloways(1965)

    as Nigosh

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Saugus · as Talakum

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Joseph

  • The Dakotas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Gallant Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Follow That Dream(1962)

    as Jack (as Frank de Kova)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Atlantis: The Lost Continent(1961)

    as Sonoy the Astrologer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Gunslinger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Ignacio Alesandro

  • The Roaring 20's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Surfside 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Stinger

  • The Islanders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Carlos Roca

  • Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Lieutenant Vincoli

  • The Tall Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond(1960)

    as Syndicate Chairman

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Nordoff

  • The Jayhawkers!(1959)

    as Evans

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Anthony 'Tough Tony' Lamberto · as Bugs Donovan · as Louie Campagna · as Louis 'Little New York' Campagna · as Louis Campagne · as The Man

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Pete Dailey

  • The Alaskans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Rebel(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Aloysius Sturgis

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Third Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Arlatti · as Juan Rodriguez

  • Laramie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Tah-Za

  • The Deputy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Cowan

  • The Troubleshooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Nadi

  • Johnny Staccato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Day of the Outlaw(1959)

    as Denver, Bruhn's Gang

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Lawless Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Black Saddle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Calderon

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Tawyawp · as Villegro

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Dino Malatesta · as Jack Bent · as Jerry Gordon

  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy Napoli

  • Lawman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Jed Barker

  • The Rifleman(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Hostay

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Peter Gunn(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Apache Territory(1958)

    as Lugo (as Frank deKova)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Cave Man(1958)

    as The Black-Bearded One

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Machine-Gun Kelly(1958)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Brothers Karamazov(1958)

    as Capt. Vrublevski

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Cowboy(1958)

    as Alcaide

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Ride Out for Revenge(1957)

    as Chief Yellow Wolf

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Walter Winchell File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Stefan

  • The Californians(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Ug-A-Mug

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Indian Chief · as Isaiah Quickfox · as Obuki · as Ocheo · as True Oak

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Run of the Arrow(1957)

    as Red Cloud (as Frank De Kova)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Appointment with a Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Dutch Hayden

  • Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Ottawa Chief

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Not One Shall Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Egyptian Official

  • Reprisal! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Charlie Washackle

  • The White Squaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Yellow Elk

  • Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Ten Commandments(1956)

    as Abiram

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Pillars of the Sky(1956)

    as Zachariah

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Santiago(1956)

    as Jingo

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Moccasin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Brave Scout

  • The Lone Ranger(1956)

    as Chief Red Hawk

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Shack Out on 101(1955)

    as Prof. Claude Dillon

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Hold Back Tomorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Priest

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Pedro · as Senor Vargas

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Johnny Cake · as Dull Knife · as Red Knife · as Sitting Bull · as Spotted Bull · as War Cloud

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 3 episodes · as Leader · as Mulligan Rives · as Tobeel

  • The Man from Laramie(1955)

    as Padre

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Strange Lady in Town(1955)

    as Anse Hatlo

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • They Rode West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Isatai

  • Drum Beat(1954)

    as Modoc Jim

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Passion(1954)

    as Martinez (as Frank de Kova)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Valley of the Kings(1954)

    as Akmed Salah (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • King of the Khyber Rifles(1953)

    as Ali Nur

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Fighter Attack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Benedetto

  • All the Brothers Were Valiant(1953)

    as Stevenson

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Arrowhead(1953)

    as Chief Chattez

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Desert Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Mindar

  • Raiders of the Seven Seas(1953)

    as Captain Romero

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Split Second (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Dummy

  • The Big Sky(1952)

    as Moleface (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Holiday for Sinners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as The Wiry Man

  • Martin Kane, Private Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 2 episodes · as Thomas Randall

  • Kiss of Death(1947)

    as Con Library (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 116 titles from 1947 to 1982; peak year 1972.

Highest rated

Day of the Outlaw (1959)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

Cheyenne (1955)

Film career

19471982

Peak 1972 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting116 of 116: 116 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s63 · acting1960s27 · acting1970s21 · acting1980s3 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 24 roles
525762

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Frank DeKova's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 42; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 57 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th22
  • 25th to 49th18
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 57 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned2
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed12
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Frasier, the Sensuous Lion (1973)

83rd percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Frank DeKova's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Frank DeKova work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frank DeKova's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Floyd Crosby shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers