Frank Alesia, an actor known for supporting roles in 1960s’ beach party movies and a director of the children’s program Captain Kangaroo, died February 27, 2011, of natural causes at his home in Carlsbad, California. He was 65.

Originally from Chicago, Alesia came to Hollywood in 1964 and was one of the last character actors to work under the studio system.

His feature film credits included Riot on the Sunset Strip and some of the beach films that starred Frankie Avalon and/or Annette Funicello, including Bikini Beach, Pajama Party and Beach Blanket Bingo.

On television, Alesia appeared on such series as That Girl, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Odd Couple, Room 222, The Flying Nun and Laverne & Shirley.

He also wrote for and directed for Laverne & Shirley.

Alesia directed the kids show Captain Kangaroo and was nominated for a daytime Emmy in 1979.

After leaving the entertainment industry, Alesia bred and raced thoroughbred horses.

Survivors include his wife, two children and a sister Lucille.