Frank Puglia (March 9, 1892 – October 25, 1975) was a prolific Italian-American character actor who, with his incredible versatility, became one of Hollywood’s most dependable players for portraying a vast array of ethnic characters over a career that spanned nearly 50 years.
An Italian immigrant who began his career with an opera company, Puglia became a go-to actor for directors seeking an authentic touch. He appeared in over 150 films, with small but highly memorable roles in some of the greatest classics of the Golden Age. He is best known as the elderly storyteller who narrates the tale in The Jungle Book (1942), and as the Moroccan rug merchant who argues with Humphrey Bogart in the timeless masterpiece Casablanca (1942).
His other notable roles include the compassionate psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith’s associate in the Bette Davis classic Now, Voyager (1942) and a supporting part in the Gary Cooper adventure For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943). He also worked extensively in television, with a memorable guest appearance on the sitcom My Favorite Martian, cementing his legacy as one of classic Hollywood’s most familiar and welcome faces.
