Frank Gallagher is a fictional character from the television series Shameless , portrayed by actor William H. Macy. He is the father of six children, born from his late wife Monica Gallagher, and is known for his chaotic, reckless behavior, struggles with alcoholism, and manipulative tendencies. Frank is often depicted as an opportunistic and self-destructive figure who prioritizes his own needs over his family’s, yet occasionally shows a softer side. The character embodies the challenges of poverty, addiction, and dysfunctional family dynamics, set in the South Side of Chicago. His story arc concludes with his death in the series finale
. In addition to the fictional character, there are real individuals named Frank Gallagher, including:
- Frank Gallagher, a Scottish actor born in 1962, known for roles in theatre, film, and television including the BBC Scotland drama River City
- Frank Gallacher (1943–2009), a Scottish-born actor known for films like Dark City and TV series such as All Saints
- Frank Gallagher, a Northern Irish award-winning music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist specializing in folk and Celtic music
- Frank Gallagher, an author from Scotland specializing in thriller, historical fiction, and literary fiction
- Frank Gallagher, a young filmmaker from Baldwin, New York, pursuing a career in directing and cinematography
The most widely recognized Frank Gallagher remains the Shameless character played by William H. Macy
