Claude Marion Akins was born on May 25, 1925 in Nelson, Georgia but grew up in Bedford, Indiana.  He attended Northwestern University where he majored in Theater Arts, graduating in 1949.  He made his first film appearance in 1953's "From Here to Eternity" followed in 1954 with an appearance  in "The Caine Mutiny". Other major film roles followed such as "Rio Bravo" and "Don’t Give Up the Ship" (1959),  "Inherit the Wind" and "Comanche Station (1960), "Merrills Marauders" (1962), “Return of the Seven” as Frank,  "The Devil’s Brigade" (1968) and "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (1973). Claude made an early TV appearance on  "The Adventures of Superman" in the early 1950s and it was this medium that made him a household name.  Akins made regular guest appearances on such series as "The Twilight Zone", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "I Love Lucy",  "Perry Mason" and dozens of westerns. He starred in three TV series, as trucker Sonny Pruett in "Movin’ On" (1974-1976), "B.J. and the Bear" (1979-1981) and "The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo" (1979-1981).  Akins died from cancer on July 27, 1994 in Altadena, California.
Frank (Claude Akins)
Costume/Props Test
Claude Akins was an avid golfer, he played in a lot of pro-am golf tournaments for various charities right up until his death.  Today, "The Claude Akins Golf Tournament" is a regularly scheduled event in his adopted hometown of Bedford, Indiana.  Even on the Set of "Return of the Seven" in Agost (Alicante) he swings his driver for a few balls. Claude Akins - Leisure activities on the Set: Golf
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