| Gilchrist Stuart | |
| Birth Name: | Derek Grist |
| Birth Date: | 19 January 1919 |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation: | Actor |
Gilchrist Stuart (born Derek Grist; 19 January 1919—8 June 1977[1]) was a British actor. He was probably best known for playing Franz, the butler of Captain Von Trapp in Academy Award winning film The Sound of Music. He was sometimes credited as Gil Stuart.
He was born in London as Derek Grist. He studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He came to Hollywood under contract to Metro Goldwyn Meyer.[2]
Stuart played supporting or minor roles in such films as A Yank in the R.A.F., where he played Wales, Sword in the Desert,[3] Designing Woman, Assault on a Queen, Morituri, Doctor Dolittle.[2] He also appeared in films with his The Sound of Music co-stars: he appeared in Forever Amber and The Lost World alongside Richard Haydn, and in Star! alongside Julie Andrews. He also appeared as an actor in episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour titled A Nice Touch, opposite Anne Baxter and George Segal,[4] as well as in other television shows. He appeared in Red Skelton Show for the period of over 16 years.
His most notable role was in film The Sound of Music, which won five Oscars. He played the butler of captain Georg von Trapp. In the beginning of the film, Maria mistakes him for the captain. He was recommended by another member of the film's team and was a familiar face to director Robert Wise, who offered him the role shortly before start of the filming in March 1964.[5] In her memoir Forever Liesl: A Memoir of The Sound of Music, Charmian Carr described him as "a marvelous character actor, very reserved", and being part of the "British group" of actors on the set.[6]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Charley's Aunt | Teammate | Uncredited |
| 1941 | A Yank in the R.A.F. | Wales | |
| 1947 | Forever Amber | Cavalier | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Fighter Squadron | English Photographer | Uncredited |
| 1949 | Sword in the Desert | Radio Operator | |
| 1950 | When Willie Comes Marching Home | British Lieutenant | Uncredited |
| 1950 | Fancy Pants | Wicket Keeper | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Bronco Buster | McDermott | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Botany Bay | Sailor | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Rogue's March | Andy | Uncredited |
| 1953 | The Desert Rats | Captain | Uncredited |
| 1953 | East of Sumatra | Mr. Vickers | Uncredited |
| 1953 | King of the Khyber Rifles | Officer of the Week | Uncredited |
| 1955 | The Sea Chase | Fisherman | Uncredited |
| 1955 | The Scarlet Coat | Officer | Uncredited |
| 1955 | The King's Thief | Clerk | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Designing Woman | Mr. Orvac | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Les Girls | English Photographer | Uncredited |
| 1957 | The Devil's Hairpin | Salesman | Uncredited |
| 1960 | The Lost World | Reporter | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Mutiny on the Bounty | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1963 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Actor | Season 2 Episode 2: "A Nice Touch" |
| 1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Ralph the Butler | Season 3 Episode 18: "The Trap" |
| 1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | British Man | Season 3 Episode 26: "The Monkey's Paw - A Retelling" |
| 1965 | The Sound of Music | Franz | |
| 1965 | Morituri | Englishman | Uncredited |
| 1965 | Do Not Disturb | Man in Cab | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Assault on a Queen | Officer #1 | |
| 1967 | Doctor Dolittle | The Vicar | Uncredited |
| 1968 | Star! | Footman | Uncredited |
| 1969 | Hook, Line & Sinker | Night Manager | Uncredited |
| 1969 | Justine | British Army Officer | Uncredited |
| 1970 | Which Way to the Front? | Mr. Firestone, the Tailor | Uncredited |
| 1971 | The Andromeda Strain | Man | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Hickey & Boggs | Farrow | |
| 1972 | Sanford and Son |