Frank Conniff

Frank Conniff, Jr. (born August 30, 1956) is an American writer, actor and producer who is best known for his portrayal of TV's Frank on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). He is the son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editor Frank Conniff. 2Early work Although a native of New York City, where he had accumulated some experience in stand-up comedy, Conniff found himself in Minneapolis in the mid-80's undergoing rehabilitation for substance abuse, according to a Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast! interview. He stayed in the city following treatment, working simultaneously at a fast-food restaurant and in local comedy clubs. Eventually he won out-of-town engagements across the upper Midwest. It was during this period that he struck up friendships with future MST3K stalwarts Michael J. Nelson, Trace Beaulieu, Bridget Jones and others, as well as Lizz Winstead, later co-creator of The Daily Show on the Comedy Central network. Conniff was appearing in a North Dakota venue when he was informed by MST3K head writer Nelson of his selection as the replacement for one of the show's originals, J. Elvis Weinstein. 2Mystery Science Theater 3000 From the second through sixth seasons of MST3K's run on Comedy Central, Conniff played TV's Frank, one of the "mads" (short for "mad scientists") along with D