Frank worth

Frank Worth is a photographer who in the 1940's-1960's photographed some of the world's most famous actors and actresses in Hollywood, CA. Frank was born in 1923 in New York City, NY. He grew up not far from home and attended the Erasmus Hall High School located in Brooklyn, NY. Photography caught Frank’s attention early on. He joined his high school’s photo club and began publically showcasing his photographs. In Frank’s senior year of high school, he decided that he was ready to become a commercial success and applied for a job with the International News Service (INS). His work was good enough that he was offered a job. His first assignment gave birth to a long career of critically acclaimed photographs of some of the biggest starts of Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age.’
INS tasked Frank Worth with the role of photographing actors as they arrived at the Grand Central Station, exiting the California Express train, bringing Frank to Hollywood for the first time. Through charisma and wit, Frank was quick to befriend his famous subjects, impressing the editors at INS who, upon his graduation in 1940, sent him back as a permanent staff photographer.
In Hollywood, Frank was given residence at the home of famous actor and singer Rudy Vallee. The two have previously met back in New York and struck up an instant friendship. Soon after establishing a comfort zone in his new home, Frank requested to withdraw from his INS role and join the Hollywood Photographers Guild, thereby gaining greater independence for his work. He continued to freelance for his previous employer, however, he added on rolls as staff photographer for numerous publications in the film business, including “Movie Fan” and “Movie Teen.”
In his work, Frank met and befriended numerous actors and actresses, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and others of the same caliber. He found himself at home within his famous circle of friends, becoming a confidant to some and lover to others. Frank’s unique level of exposure granted him the ability to capture some remarkably candid images, the likes of which have never before been seen in the contemporary media. For this reason, (among others), much of Frank’s work was never published and many Frank Worth photographs have never been seen outside the surviving family.
Frank’s Introduction to the Stars
During his years as a photographer, Frank was constantly exposed to many top stars, with whom he shared many interests. With James Dean, Frank shared a passion for cars. As a result, Dean regularly invited Frank to go behind the scenes of the movie sets of “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant.” Among these, Frank was regularly seen on sets and some of his most famous pictures were taken on the set of “How To Marry a Millionaire,” and “Seven Year Itch,” with Marilyn Monroe. Frank also photographed a number of award ceremonies (such as the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards) as well as movie premieres and Hollywood parties.
One of Frank Worth’s most famous photograph was taken back in New York, during the making of the film “Seven Year Itch” and starting Marilyn Monroe. The director of the film, Billy Wilder positioned Marilyn above an open subway vent, causing her skirt to blow up and forever memorializing an iconic moment of American Pop Culture history. Frank Worth shot the picture of Billy Wilder positioning Marilyn Monroe and directing the scene. When Wilder moved away, the only other photographer present (a staff photographer from UPI) shot Marilyn Monroe by herself, creating a photograph which immediately circulated through the mass media causing a great stiff with the American public. As a promotional tactic for the release of the movie, the studio restaged the scene in a Hollywood back-lot and invited numerous photographers to the publicity stunt. However, Marilyn’s husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio objected to her panties being exposed, a risqué portrayal for the time. Marilyn consequently concealed her undergarments for the shoot. Having taken the only risqué photograph of Marilyn that also featured Billy Wilder, Frank released the image for a single issue of the Hollywood Reporter. The issue, dedicated to Billy Wilder, featured the famed photo on its cover.
Famous Relationships
Frank had a long and close relationship with Marilyn Monroe, his most famous subject. The relationship included a secretive love affair that the couple arduously concealed. Frank was one of the last people Marilyn reached out to before her unfortunate death. Frank took many photos of Marilyn before she achieved stardom with her first film “The Asphalt Jungle.” Most commonly, however, most of the taken images were kept private by Frank Worth. In fact, Frank admitted to his affair with Marilyn Monroe only months before he died.
Jayne Mansfield, another famous starlet of the time, was another woman with whom Frank was intimate. In addition to their love affair, the Jayne Mansfield Fan Club newsletter from May 1987 credits Frank Worth with the discovery of Jayne Mansfield. Frank’s relationship with Jayne was catalytic to his friend’s inclusion of Jayne in the film “Female Jungle,” the first movie to feature her. The producer, Burt Kaiser was a close friend of Frank Worth and was the producer on the film.
Frank Worth died in relative obscurity in 2000, leaving an incredible photographic legacy unparalleled in its candid portrayal of Hollywood in its 'Golden Era.'

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