Frank Aloysius Robert Tinney (March 29, 1878 – November 28, 1940) was an American blackface comedian and actor.Tinney achieved considerable success in vaudeville and on Broadway in the early 20th century. Comedian Joe Cook considered Tinney, "the greatest natural comic ever developed in America." Tinney's career and marriage were ruined after he was accused of beating his mistress, Ziegfeld girl Imogene "Bubbles" Wilson in May 1924. Although he was never formally charged, the ensuing publicity ruined his reputation.Tinney suffered a number of health problems after the scandal and eventually had a nervous breakdown. He never regained his health and died in November 1940.
His son, Frank, Jr., was born in January 1918. He later appeared in the 1933 Cecil B. DeMille film This Day and Age, along with the namesake sons of actors Eric von Stroheim, Wallace Reid, Bryant Washburn, Carlyle Blackwell, Neal Hart and Fred Kohler. Tinney's son later became a U. S. Air Force officer who saw service during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Governor's Boss
1915
Policy Seller
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway After Dark
1924
Himself, Cameo Appearance
Known for movies
The Governor's Boss 1915 as Policy Seller
Broadway After Dark 1924 as Himself, Cameo Appearance
$400,000
