Who Plays Ava’s Father In Abbott Elementary Season 4? Frank Actor’s Legendary Career Explained

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Abbott Elementary season 4, episode 13, “The Science Fair.”

While Ava may not be happy to see her father Frank in Abbott Elementary season 4, viewers will be delighted to find out who the guest star playing her estranged dad is. Abbott Elementary’s cast of characters is reliably hilarious, but this has not stopped the show from pulling out all the stops when it comes to cameos. Season 3 alone saw Bradley Cooper and Kevin Hart appear as themselves, while Mike O’Malley and Lana Condor played guest roles.

Season 4 may have slowed down on the A-list cameos, but the workplace mockumentary sitcom is still introducing plenty of new characters. Abbott Elementary‘s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia crossover brought the entire Paddy’s Pub gang to the eponymous school, while season 4, episode 8, “Winter Break,” introduced Melissa’s mother, Teresa. Meanwhile, the preceding outing, episode 7, “Winter Show,” snuck an important cameo into the episode’s closing credits. As Gregory went to a new barber, he discovered his barber had an unexpected link to his professional life.

Abbott Elementary Introduces Ava’s Father, Keith David’s Frank

Keith David Is Familiar From Decades Of Movies And TV Shows

Gregory’s barber was Ava’s estranged father, Frank, and Gregory was surprised to realize that he wasn’t in touch with his daughter. Frank returned for a more substantial role in episode 13, “The Science Fair.” Abbott Elementary’s Frank is played by the legendary Keith David, a prolific star who has appeared in a diverse range of roles. David has been active on the big and small screen since his debut in 1979’s Disco Godfather.

Since then, the versatile star has appeared in everything from John Carpenter’s classic horror movies The Thing and They Live to Road House, Bird, The Puppet Masters, The Quick and the Dead, Armageddon, There’s Something About Mary, Pitch Black, Requiem for a Dream, Barbershop, The Chronicles of Riddick, Crash, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Coraline, The Princess and the Frog, Cloud Atlas, The Nice Guys, and Nope. As if this weren’t impressive enough, David has an equally extensive TV career.

Before Abbott Elementary season 4’s Ava story brought him on board, David was known to TV viewers for voice roles in Gargoyles, Todd MacFarlane’s Spawn, and Rick and Morty, where he plays the President. He also appeared in 12 episodes of Community as Elroy Patashnik, played the Cheshire Cat in Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, and appeared in NCIS: New Orleans and Creepshow.

When Will Frank Return To Abbott Elementary?

Abbott Elementary Season 4 Could Reunite Ava and Frank In The Future

Abbott Elementary’s Keith David role continues a welcome season 4 trend wherein the school faculty’s parents are played by iconic guest actors like Melissa’s mother, Teresa, played by The Godfather’s Talia Shire. Midway through “The Science Fair,” Ava has a frosty encounter with Frank that proves she has not yet forgiven her father for moving on to a new family. However, the end of the episode sees Ava reconcile with him somewhat while thanking him for making a financial contribution to the science fair.

This could prove important later in season 4. Abbott Elementary’s ongoing golf course story seemingly came to a head when the course’s developers finally finished construction in episode 13, “Girard Creek.” Although the faculty did convince the course’s owners to set up an after-school golf club for the students, the fact that construction is finished means they will no longer be providing funding to Abbott in the form of bribes. As such, Ava may need to turn to Frank for more financial aid before the school year is out.

Keith David’s Movies & TV Shows Explained

The Iconic Actor Has Appeared In Everything From They Live To Rick and Morty

If Ava does end up relying on Frank, it would be great to see David play a bigger role in Abbott Elementary season 4’s later episodes. David’s diverse range of guest roles proves that he has substantial experience as both a comedic and dramatic actor, meaning he would be perfectly suited to this story. Abbott Elementary’s brilliance comes from the sitcom’s ability to blend social commentary and character drama with cartoonish absurdity, a blend that David’s screen CV mirrors.

David’s roles in The Good Lord Bird, Justified: City Primeval, MacGyver, and Mr Robot all prove he has no shortage of experience in dramatic roles. However, his recent comedy work is even more impressive. In the last ten years alone, David has played supporting roles in Black Jesus, Uncle Grandpa, Regular Show, BoJack Horseman, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Last Kids on Earth, Family Guy, Woke, Central Park, American Dad, My Dad the Bounty Hunter, and Hazbin Hotel. If there was ever an actor perfectly suited to Abbott Elementary’s mix of comedy and drama, it would be inimitable Keith David.

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Abbott Elementary

9/10

Release Date

December 7, 2021

Showrunner

Quinta Brunson

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  Quinta Brunson

  Janine Teagues

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  Tyler James Williams

  Gregory Eddie