Westbrook, Frank

Actor.

Frank Westbrook was born in Mississippi in 1909, and raised in Washington D.C. where he later attended George Washington University to study theater. In 1937, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career, although he would eventually make his way as a dancer and a choreographer. He first worked as an extra in plays (appearing in Orson Welles' productions at the Mercury Theatre from 1937-1938), and then transitioned to dancing on Broadway as a chorus boy. Westbrook danced in works by prominent choreographers such as Agnes DeMille and Doris Humphrey, in addition to creating choreography of his own both independently and for television variety shows. He also helped found a performance organization called Theater Dance, Inc., which provided a forum for emerging choreographers to present their work.