Kenneth Swofford was born in DuQuoin, Illinois on January 02, 1932. Breaking into show business in the early 1960's, Ken found he had the kind of face and mannerisms that made him a natural as a character actor. Hence, he's had a long running career as an "every-man."

As Frank Flannigan in Ellery Queen, Ken's loud-manner and long suffering personality suited him well. Flannigan (or "FF" as his secretary, Vera, called him) was always quick to call his homebase, the New York Gazette and shriek, "Stop The Presses!" Unfortunately, more often than not, he was premature (not unlike Simon Brimmer) and ended up printing the wrong party named guilty of murder. And there was Ellery to put him in his place. And the look on Frank's face as he went into the tirade that followed is not to be missed!

Luckily, Frank's newspaper never seemed to hold it against him, and good ole Vera was there with a flask of whiskey, a backrub, or a cup 'o joe.

Frank's character allowed Ellery (and his Dad) a foil when the story line was a little too pedestrian to use Simon's character. Also, Flannigan made a nice abbrasive instrument to keep Inspector Queen on the edge. Frank was constantly printing information about cases that the Inspector was trying to keep under wraps.

Ken Swofford went on to do a series of small parts in many movies, TV films, and series episodes — especially those done by Levinson/Link/Fischer as EQ was (such as Columbo, Murder She Wrote, etc.)