Arthur Franz

Arthur Franz, a veteran movie and television character actor, has died. He was 86. Franz died Saturday of heart failure and emphysema at St. John's Hospital, said his daughter, Gina Martenson. Franz appeared in the 1949 John Wayne film ``Sands of Iwo Jima'' and in 1951's ``Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.'' He played alongside Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy Davis, in the 1957 film ``Hellcats of the Navy.'' His favorite role was his turn as a leading man in 1952's ``The Sniper,'' Martenson said Monday. ``He was very proud of his work,'' she said. ``He played with all of these very conservative actors, like Ronald Reagan and John Wayne, but he was at the opposite end of the spectrum politically.'' He also appeared on TV programs including ``Perry Mason,'' ``The Mod Squad'' and ``Rawhide.'' Before becoming an actor, Franz served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., Franz developed an interest in acting while he was a teen. He started working in the theater in New York before moving to Los Angeles and taking film roles. Franz married his fourth wife, Sharon, earlier this year on Valentine's Day, Martenson said. He is survived by her, Martenson and another daughter, Melissa Franz, a son, Michael Franz, and two grandchildren, Hallie and Benn Martenson.