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Frank McRae

Frank McRae

Actor · Died April 29, 2021, aged 80 · Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Frank McRae (born June 3, 1942, died April 29, 2021) was an American actor and former professional football player. McRae was born in Memphis, Tennessee. McRae graduated from Tennessee State University with a double major in drama and history. He was a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears in the 1967 NFL season. Among his acting roles are the history teacher, Mr. Teasdale, in Red Dawn, bank robber Reed Youngblood in Dillinger, Hazel in Cannery Row, Spanky in The Wizard, James Bond's friend Sharkey in 1989's Licence to Kill, inmate Eclipse in Lock Up, shouting police captain in 48 Hrs. (a role he later parodied in Last Action Hero and Loaded Weapon 1), the train coachman in Tracks and former professional boxing champion Harry Noble in *batteries not included. He also made an effective pairing with John Candy as two bumbling subordinates; first as two tank soldiers (under an equally bumbling Sgt. Frank Tree played by Dan Aykroyd) in the cult classic 1941 and later as "Walley World" Security Guards in National Lampoon's Vacation . He played Jim, the Mechanic in the movie Used Cars. His most recent role was as a guest star on the television series ER. He also portrayed the character of Sergeant Tenga in Farewell to the King Description above from the Wikipedia article Frank McRae, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 18, 1941
Died
April 29, 2021 (aged 80)
From
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 53 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 45% in 30 days

What are Frank McRae's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
Bonds
37%
Morality
25%
Self
11%
Survival
11%
Society
8%
Ideas
5%
Power
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 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 11 · Serious 7 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 3

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 7 · Intense 10

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 6

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 5

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

Casual 14 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 6 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
6 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Thrilling
7
Melancholic
8
Absurd
5
Joyful
5
Other
18

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

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 McRae's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frank McRae'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

53 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page.

  • Love's Abiding Joy(2006)

    as Cookie

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Love's Long Journey(2005)

    as Cookie

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • One Hell of a Guy(1998)

    as Moe

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Bruce McFee

  • Hijack(1998)

    as Roger Tate

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Killing Jar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Det. Bernie Morris

  • Asteroid(1997)

    as Lloyd Morgan

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Freddie

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Lightning Jack(1994)

    as Mr. Doyle

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Trouble Shooters: Trapped Beneath the Earth(1993)

    as Hugh

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Last Action Hero(1993)

    as Lieutenant Dekker

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Loaded Weapon 1(1993)

    as Captain Doyle

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Sketch Artist(1992)

    as Det. Milon

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Poochinski (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Captain Ed Martin

  • Another 48 Hrs.(1990)

    as Haden (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Wizard(1989)

    as Spanky

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Lock Up(1989)

    as Eclipse

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Licence to Kill(1989)

    as Sharkey

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Farewell to the King(1989)

    as Sgt. Tenga

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • *batteries not included(1987)

    as Harry Noble

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer(1986)

    as Herschel Dean

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Hostage Flight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Bart Cooper

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff (segment "Opening Day")

  • Red Dawn(1984)

    as Mr. Teasdale

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Vacation(1983)

    as Grover

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Shooting Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Tubbs

  • 48 Hrs.(1982)

    as Haden

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Cannery Row(1982)

    as Hazel

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Used Cars(1980)

    as Jim the Mechanic

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • City in Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Captain Maslin

  • 1941(1979)

    as Pvt. Ogden Johnson Jones

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Rocky II(1979)

    as Meat Foreman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Norma Rae(1979)

    as James Brown

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Paradise Alley(1978)

    as Big Glory

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The End(1978)

    as Male Nurse

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • F.I.S.T.(1978)

    as Lincoln Dombrowsky

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Dog and Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Morgue Attendant

  • Tracks(1976)

    as Train Coachman

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Pipe Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Moose

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Foreman

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Part 2: Walking Tall(1975)

    as Steamer Riley

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Hard Times(1975)

    as Hammerman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Orphan and the Dude (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Fast Freddie

  • Judgment: The Court Martial of Lt. William Calley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Mr. Langham

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Junior

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Bank Shot(1974)

    as Herman Lincoln (aka Herman X)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Dillinger(1973)

    as Reed Youngblood

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Shaft in Africa(1973)

    as Osiat

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

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

    as Cheech

  • Cool Breeze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Barry, Mercer's Servant (uncredited)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. John Robertson

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles from 1971 to 2006; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office

Licence to Kill (1989)

$156M worldwide

Highest rated

Rocky II (1979)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Licence to Kill (1989)

Film career

19712006

Peak 1988 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting53 of 53: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1970s22 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s12 · acting2000s3 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
73788393

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 McRae's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Trouble Shooters: Trapped Beneath the Earth (1993)

64th percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rocky II (1979)

Midcredits 92nd · 80% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 21 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 35. 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 McRae's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles34–75 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles19–60 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles37–79 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles29–60 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles16–66 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Frank McRae work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frank McRae's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Sylvester Stallone shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles