Trivia

His movie career ended in 1951 when he was the first actor to admit that he had belonged to a Communist cell from 1941 to 1945 and was subsequently blacklisted.

The only actor and movie name among the original 19 people accused by the House Un-American Activities Committee of being Communists.

After his film career was destroyed, he found intermittent work on stage in such plays as "The Teahouse of the August Moon," "Any Wednesday" and "The Tunnel of Love." He and his wife also worked up nightclub singing/comedy acts along with appearing in legit plays. Although Parks never quite shook off the blacklist incident, he won a role in John Huston's Freud, passions secrètes (1962).

Godfather of Jeff Bridges.

Sons with Betty Garrett: composer Garrett Parks and actor Andrew Parks.

Father: Frank Parks; Mother: Leona Klausman.

Has never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Died of a stroke at his home.

According to director Irwin Winkler, the fictional actor Larry Nolan (played by Chris Cooper) in the McCarthy-era themed film La Liste noire (1991) was based on Nolan.