Frank Dean was born 1n 1908, San Jose, Santa Clara, California to Mamie (Blase) and Benjamin Dean, who worked as a carpenter.
Frank performed his "Western Arts" acts, (trick and fancy roping, whips, knife throwing and western trick riding), on various circuses, wild west shows, rodeos and appeared on the television program "You Asked for It". Frank also was the author of many books on the subject of western arts.
Frank performed his acts abroad many times. while performing in Japan he met another performer, Bernice Hoppe, they were married April 26, 1935 while still in Japan.
Frank was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, as cracking the worlds longest whip (80 foot) at the State Fair of North Dakota in 1939.
Bernice did a "Rolla-Bolla" act, trick riding, juggling and assisted Frank in his acts.
Frank had a very "audience pleasing" rope spinning routine. In one of his tricks he wore a derby hat with a rope attached to the top, he would spin the rope in a loop around him (Cowboys Wedding Ring) spinning the rope with his head, and then stagger around the ring as if drunk. In his horse roping act he stood on his head in a bucket and then roped a horse as it galloped by.
In Frank's whip routine, Bernice would enter the ring wearing a long western style skirt and carrying a parasol adorned with flowers. Bernice would spin the parasol as Frank cut the flowers off with his whip, then using the whip he would remove Bernice's skirt.
Frank was very generous in sharing his talents, he was always willing to teach and help young performers who were interested in learning western arts. |
