Frank Cady, TV's Mr. Drucker, Dies at 96

Frank Cady, who played the delightful role of Sam Drucker on three CBS series, has died. While no cause of death has been revealed as yet, The Los Angeles Times reports that his daughter, Catherine, stated Cady passed on Friday in Wilsonville, Oregon, where he lived.

In 1963, Cady took on the role for the friendly rural general store owner, Sam Drucker, for the show, Petticoat Junction. When Green Acres began in 1965, taking place in the same community of Hooterville, he appeared on both shows simultaneously. In addition, three years later, in 1968, he also appeared on multiple episodes of Beverly Hillbillies. These three shows did quite a few crossovers throughout the years. He also appeared in the reunion movie, Return to Green Acres, that aired in 1990. It was his last role on TV.

His career was broader than these shows, however. He did many TV shows over the years, including Eight is Enough, Hawaii Five-O, The Andy Griffith Show, Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, and Perry Mason. Prior to the rural comedies, he was probably best known as Doc Williams on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, which aired from 1953 to 1964.

Retired in 1991, Cady and his wife moved to Oregon to enjoy outdoor activities such as golf and hiking. Shirley, his wife, passed in 2008. Along with Catherine, he is survived by a son, Steven. Cady was 96.