Biography

Francis H Rafferty Jr. is a multifaceted and passionate individual who was born on April 5, 1972, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He has explored various fields and pursuits, such as acting, boxing, bodybuilding, and paranormal investigation, with grit and enthusiasm. He inherited his coal mining family's spirit of hard work and discipline. He shone in both academics and sports at Mahanoy Area School District and Cardinal Brennan Catholic School, where he graduated with honors. He was awarded a full academic scholarship to Wilkes University, where he pursued Pre-Medical and Psychology studies.

Fran developed a passion for bodybuilding and fitness at a young age, and trained under David "Karpy" Karpovich at Karpy's Fitness Center in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He competed as a teenage bodybuilder and appeared in several magazines, such as IronMan, Flex, and Muscular Development. He continued his involvement in the fitness industry throughout his life.

After college, Fran joined Electronic Data Systems in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he became a Corporate Sales Trainer under the mentorship of Tom Brunner, Senior Trainer. Tom also trained Fran as a fighter/boxer, which inspired him to pursue a professional career in boxing. Fran moved to Florida and trained at the Police Athletic League in downtown Jacksonville, where he met and befriended professional fighter David Rickman. Fran and David were sparring partners and learned the ropes of professional boxing together. However, tragedy struck when David was killed in a professional bout in Savannah, Georgia. Fran gave up his boxing dream at his mother's request. He still remembers David as a loving father and friend who touched many lives.

Fran's acting career began in 2010, after studying Film/Theatre at Open Stage in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under the guidance of Anne Alsedek, Education Director. He started by acting in student films at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he landed leading roles in many projects. He then moved on to the independent scene, where he starred in many films such as Legends 2, The Lesson, The Trade, The Laughing Mask, Headlocked, The Anniversary, Tattletale Corpse, Wolf's Museum of Mystery, Reconnaissance, Red Death, O Holy Knight, Blood and Soil, The Kamasutra Garden, Open Borders and Coming Home. Since 2016, he has been working as the lead actor, Charlie Powell, for the Award Winning Show Ghosts and Gravestones in St. Augustine, Florida. He also makes appearances as Batman for special events for children. Speaking of children, Fran has two daughters, Jessica and Kiley, who he loves dearly.

Fran has always had a fascination with the paranormal world and today runs his own company, Paranormal Investigations of America, where he and his team of expert paranormal investigators operate out of St. Augustine, Florida. They invite paranormal enthusiasts to join them in the Old Jail After Dark Experience, where they teach them the skills and techniques of paranormal investigation and then take them on a thrilling exploration of the Old St. John's County Jail, a place with a haunted and dark history that appears on the national and international most haunted places in the world.

- IMDb mini biography by: Francis H Rafferty Jr.