Frank Cole (1954 – 2000) was an award-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker and avid surfer who became the first North American to cross the Sahara alone on camel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, in 1990. This epic odyssey earned Cole a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. His documentary Life Without Death chronicled his experience and won him several prestigious awards as well as being released theatrically in Paris.
Cole was murdered by Tuareg bandits near Timbuktu, Mali, in late October 2000.
Born in Saskatchewan to a New Brunswick father from the diplomatic field, Cole grew up in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and South Africa. A well-educated traveller, he studied languages at Carleton University and later 16mm film production at Algonquin College with the legendary documentarian Peter Wintonick. His films include A Documentary, The Mountenays, A Life and Life Without Death.
Famous quotes containing the words frank and/or cole:
“Angel: You are a sourpuss, aren’t you?
Brad: Yeah.
Angel: You want to bite somebody?
Brad: Yeah.
Angel: Well, pick your spot.”
—Fredric M. Frank (1911–1977)
“Has it ever occurred to you that friendship, at best, is a rather doubtful asset? I don’t want friends. I shall have worshippers and followers. People who will obey me because they recognize my greatness. Those who are loyal will be rewarded, and the others—destroyed.”
—Lester Cole (1904–1985)