Actor Steven Franken has passed away due to cancer at the age of 80.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, May 27, 1932, Mr. Franken began his career working on stage perfecting his craft when he decided with his friends, Jose Ferrer and Rosemary Clooney to come to Hollywood.

Mr. Franken starred in a wide body of television work including the Wild, Wild West, McHale’s Navy, Bewitched, My Favorite Martian and most notably as the spoiled, Chatsworth Osbourne, Jr. in The Dobie Gillis Show.

His memorable feature film roles include the ill-fated, fleeing technician in Westworld, the drunken waiter in The Party where he practically steals the film, but most of all his portrayal as Danny McKee in the 1964 sci-fi classic, The Time Travelers.

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Franken along with director Dave Hewett and screenwriter, IB Melchior at a revival screening of The Time Travelers where we struck up a friendship that lasted until his passing.

Mr. Franken’s biggest passion was performing on stage. Every role he portrayed, he put 100% into it. Recently, he had been performing on stage in Los Angeles and was preparing to do another film. He was a very gracious man to everyone who met him that clearly loved his craft. He was a true artist.