His mom runs the show at home, classic multitasker type, and his stepdad? He’s the science guy—literally works in a tech lab, probably surrounded by blinking lights and wires. Now, this dude didn’t just stumble into acting. He hustled his way through the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, picked up a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, and then hit the road for seven years, bouncing from one regional theater gig to the next. That’s some serious dedication—living out of suitcases, eating questionable diner food, all for the love of the stage. And then there’s his name—French. Sounds like one of those too-cool stage names, right? Nope. That’s actually his real name, like a family heirloom passed down through four generations. He’s French number four, carrying the legacy whether he likes it or not. Imagine being in a family where your name is basically an inside joke and a badge of honor at the same time. The whole vibe is a blend of old-school theater tradition meets modern tech, with a dash of family quirkiness for good measure. You’ve got a guy who’s grounded in the craft, backed by a practical, science-minded stepdad and a mom who holds it all together. He didn’t take the easy way—he built his career from the ground up, learning every part of the business from backstage chaos to curtain calls. And through it all, that family name stuck with him, rooting him in something bigger than just another actor’s journey.
French snagged his SAG card playing Yogi Bear for Hanna-Barbera’s Shakey Quakey Tour, which sounds way cooler than it actually turned out. I mean, who wouldn’t want to parade around as a giant cartoon bear, right? But, man, his big break was more like a banana peel. He got canned for literally taking off the bear head right in front of a bunch of little kids. Rookie mistake or just couldn’t stand the heat inside that furry prison? Either way, talk about a career detour. People still mention it when talking about weird Hollywood moments. Imagine being the guy who traumatized a playground full of kids by revealing Yogi’s just a sweaty dude underneath. French bounced back, obviously, but let’s be real, that’s the sort of gig you laugh about years later—after the sting wears off. The moral? Never ruin the magic for the kids, man.
February 20, 1964
5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Yes, Helene Claire Stewart
Helene Haushalter and Surekha
61 years old