Frank Cady was the connecting link between three Paul Henning series

You may recognize Frank Cady from Petticoat Junction, The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres, for playing the same role across all three!

Image credit: The Everett Collection

If Frank Cady looks familiar to you, that's because he probably is. Cady acted in three successful TV series, played the same character in each and did it all at the same time. In other words, Cady was everywhere in the 1960s. 

Cady played the role of Sam Drucker in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies. These three Paul Henning hits were all rated among the top 25 TV series at one point in time, and all three have gone down in history for being great television.

Cady was the link between the trio of shows. He was a general-store owner and newspaper editor in Hooterville, a big shot in Petticoat Junction and a growing power in The Beverly Hillbillies.

He had great success in the role of Drucker, even without being the star of all three shows.

According to a 1969 interview with Leader-Telegram, Cady began his career as a freelance actor. He worked the first two seasons of Petticoat Junction before gaining momentum.

At the time of this interview, Cady had appeared in over 240 episodes in three shows, during a six year span. 

"If you hang around long enough to show these people what you can do, you have a chance in this business," Cady said. "I've never had more fun in my life than playing this character. He's closer to me than any role I've ever played."

Despite playing the same character across three series, Cady said each role felt different to him. 

"I don't think the fact that I'm in three shows confuses the viewers," Cady said. "In Green Acres I'm one of the idiots that live at the crossroad. But in Petticoat Junction, Drucker is a solid citizen. Based on that, Drucker is a genius on The Beverly Hillbillies." 

In a 1968 interview with The Daily Herald, Henning said memorable characters are the most important aspect of any successful TV show. 

And he would know based on all his success. 

"You can hate someone in a movie and enjoy it, but you don't want to see him again next week - or ever," Cady said. "In television you need characters you'll like and want to see every week for years."

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24 Comments

Wufferduck 18 months ago
They don’t make characters like his anymore. Loved him on GA, PJ and TBH. Also, I enjoyed his performance on Perry Mason.
Mblack 19 months ago
TCM just started airing "Rear Window". Frank Cady is in it, the neighbor who sleeps on the balcony.
2AMtv 20 months ago
Who was the only other cast member who was educated and not stupid. Most of the other characters on the show seem to be mentally impaired and short of murdering mister Douglas. Blame him for every major or minor problems people were having in hoosierville.
Mblack 20 months ago
Ike Godsey was the next best thing to Mr Drucker.

There's even an episode of the Waltons where "Hank Kimball" drops by Ike's store.
Dario Mblack 20 months ago
That would be the late Alvy Moore. 😁
Mark 20 months ago
All the Beverly Hillbillies - Petticoat Junction crossovers began soon after Bea Benaderet died, no doubt as a stunt to try to help Petticoat Junction's ratings.
Pacificsun 20 months ago
It's March 15, where's the next Round, and how do we vote!!

A poorly run survey.
Andybandit 20 months ago
I like Mr Drucker on GA. I never watched PJ and I didn't see him on TBHB yet.
LoveMETV22 Andybandit 20 months ago
He's on PJ this Saturday. TBHB not for a while, mainly Season 7, but a couple in Season 8.
MrsPhilHarris 20 months ago
I like his character on Green Acres. The voice of reason.
Pacificsun MrsPhilHarris 20 months ago
Yeah, he's the counterpoint to Haney.
cperrynaples MrsPhilHarris 20 months ago
Everytime Haney goes off on his pitches, it's either Sam or Oliver who plays the normal one!
RedSamRackham cperrynaples 20 months ago
* Sam also got frustrated when he tried to correct Hank Kimball!
MrsPhilHarris cperrynaples 20 months ago
Yes that’s true.
cperrynaples 20 months ago
Sorta off topic but I had to make a comment about TIWM! Today, the cartoons included "Popeye's 20th Anniversary" which stuck out for 2 reasons: [1] It had a condensed version of Rodeo Romeo, a cartoon that can never be shown in full on MeTV for reasons that become obvious when you see it on YouTube! [2] Knowing that the trophy was a silver can of spinach, wasn't it stupid of Bluto to put Popeye's head in it? We know he's not an Einstein, but he should have seen what was coming...LOL!
Pacificsun cperrynaples 20 months ago
😉 I always appreciate a good off topic!!
But you're critiquing a cartoon that was introduced in 1929 ???
Whatever was/is wrong with it, they never would've understood during the past 60 YEARS anyway, And, aren't cartoons all about the inane.
cperrynaples Pacificsun 20 months ago
Actually, it was 1954! And might I add that the celebrity drawings were horrible paticularly Martin & Lewis! Ironically, it was produced at Paramount, their home studio!
RedSamRackham cperrynaples 20 months ago
* Was the "loco weed" parts the "that can never be shown in full on MeTV" reason? As for the Martin & Lewis, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante caricatures they make this cartoon fun to watch. When I watched it on TV as a youngster those guys were all still alive.
LoveMETV22 20 months ago
" He had great success in the role of Drucker, even without being the star of all three shows."
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Although not the main star in those three series, A all the way!
Pacificsun LoveMETV22 20 months ago
A likeable actor just like Alan Melville, as the nice guy next door!
cperrynaples Pacificsun 20 months ago
I think you mean Alan Melvin AKA Sam the butcher!
Pacificsun cperrynaples 20 months ago
True! I was too tired to look him up. But yeah, he's been in everything.
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