Frank Atkinson (born "Francis Lawrence Atkinson" on 19th March 1890 in Oldham, died 23rd February 1963 in Pinner, Middlesex) appeared on Coronation Street between August and September 1962 as Jerry Booth's maternal uncle, Sam Leach.
Frank had a full and varied career. As well as being a screenwriter, he acted on stage, in films and on television. He was also a circus performer.
He was the first actor to portray Worzel Gummidge on television in 1953 and he also had roles in BBC Sunday-Night Theatre, The Quatermass Experiment, ITV Television Playhouse, The Grove Family (alongside Edward Evans), Boyd Q.C, Dixon of Dock Green, No Hiding Place, Bootsie and Snudge, Mess Mates, Z Cars, The Plane Makers and The Saint.
His films, in a career which began in 1930, included Oh, Mr. Porter!, Pygmalion, The Stars Look Down, Mrs. Miniver, Waterloo Road, Great Expectations, The Man in the White Suit and The Titfield Thunderbolt.
Stage credits included roles in productions of Whirled Into Happiness and Saturday Night at the Crown.
