Frank Sutton

Frank Spencer Sutton (October 23, 1923—June 28, 1974) was an American actor best remembered for his role of Gunnery Sergeant Vincent Carter on the CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Sutton was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, the only child of Frank Sims Sutton and his wife Thelma Spencer. When he was eight years old, his father went to work as a linotype operator at the Nashville Tennessean in Nashville. Sutton developed an interest in ac... more

Frank Spencer Sutton (October 23, 1923—June 28, 1974) was an American actor best remembered for his role of Gunnery Sergeant Vincent Carter on the CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Sutton was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, the only child of Frank Sims Sutton and his wife Thelma Spencer. When he was eight years old, his father went to work as a linotype operator at the Nashville Tennessean in Nashville. Sutton developed an interest in acting, playing his first role at age nine. He later said, "The first time I walked out on a stage, I had a warm feeling. I knew then I wanted to be an actor." After graduating from East Nashville High School, Sutton returned to Clarksville to become a radio announcer. He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, and served in the South Pacific, taking part in 14 assault landings. Discharged as a sergeant, he began acting on stage. In 1949, he married Toby Igler, with whom he had two children. He attended Columbia University, where... less