Frankie Burke

Born in Brooklyn with the name Francis Vaselle Aiello, Frankie Burke changed his name to sound more Anglo. He went to P.S.on Lafayette and Throop streets before going on to Alexander Hamilton High School, now known as Paul Robeson HS, at 150 Albany Avenue. He grew up watching James Cagney on film in local theaters and, having been told many times how much he resembled him, figured if Cagney could become famous, so could he. Frankie sold newspapers on the street corners before deciding to hitchhike to Hollywood in 1937 to meet Cagney, but when the first attempt failed, he went back to Brooklyn.

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Source: Wikipedia