Francis Xavier Killmond; Actor

Francis (Frank) Xavier Killmond, a longtime actor who portrayed a butler on the soap opera “General Hospital” for the past six years, has died at a Woodland Hills hospital. He was 58.

A Woodland Hills resident, Killmond died Friday of cancer, his wife, Mary Evelyn Killmond, said.

Born in Baltimore, Md., Killmond earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1955 from Philadelphia’s Villanova University, where he performed in college theater. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1955-57 and came to California after he was discharged.

Killmond acted on Los Angeles stages and later appeared in “Psycho” (1960), “Elmer Gantry” (1960) and “The Honeymoon Machine” (1961). Killmond also had parts on television’s “My Three Sons,” “Playhouse 90” and “Petticoat Junction.” Since May, 1986, he has portrayed Jennings, the Quartermaine family’s butler, on “General Hospital.” He worked until a week before his death.

Besides acting, Killmond taught at various Catholic schools from 1968 to 1985, including Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Holy Family High School in Glendale and Chaminade College Preparatory School in West Hills. For the past 18 years, he has owned and operated a Catholic bookstore in Winnetka.

Killmond was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mel’s Men’s Group, Winnetka Chamber of Commerce, Assn. of Life Underwriters, Theatre Forty and the Screen Actors Guild.

In addition to his wife of 28 years, Killmond is survived by three sons: James J. of Chicago and Edward and John, both of Woodland Hills; four daughters, Katherine of Culver City, and Elizabeth, Rosemary and Virginia, all of Woodland Hills; mother, Katherine A. Killmond of Fairfax, Va.; and sister, Judy Boyle of Fairfax, Va. Another son, William F. Killmond, died in 1989.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Mel’s Catholic Church, 20870 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills. Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills. Donations can be made to a scholarship fund in Killmond’s memory, in care of Lorenzen Mortuary, 19300 Sherman Way, Reseda 91335, which is handling the arrangements.