Frederick Long, the offspring of a rural Illinois farmer, embarked on a pivotal life-altering decision when he, along with his mother, relocated to the vibrant city of Los Angeles in the year 1952. As a pre-teenager, from the tender age of eleven to seventeen, he became deeply ingrained in the burgeoning Rock and Roll scene, allowing his passion and dedication to flourish.
Following a stint in the United States Army, Frederick Long transitioned into a lucrative and fulfilling career as a prominent top-forty radio disc jockey, a profession he remained devoted to until 1977.
It was during this particular year that an unexpected turn of events led to the emergence of his acting career. As he happened to be approaching the director, Mel Wells, on the set of the film Joyride To Nowhere, which was being shot in San Dimas, California, Long found himself offering his assistance in identifying a suitable location. Little did he know, his willingness to lend a hand would soon result in an unexpected opportunity, as Wells offered him a part that would grant him membership into the prestigious Screen Actors Guild. His good fortune continued to unfold when he received a break from the renowned television producer, Chuck Barris, allowing him to work on the popular program The Gong Show. Over the course of the next two years, Long wrote and performed a multitude of skits for the show, which undoubtedly played a significant role in further establishing his presence in the entertainment industry.
In the year 1985, Bradford May extended a remarkable opportunity to Long, offering him a leading role in an episode of the renowned television series, The Twilight Zone, titled "Gramma". In this episode, Long assumed the title character of a woman, showcasing his versatility as an actor. The episode was an adaptation of Stephen King's "Night Shift", cleverly crafted by the acclaimed writer Harlan Ellison. Following this notable performance, Long adopted the pseudonym Fred J. Stone and went on to create and write not one, but two television shows, King's Pawn in 1999 and Driving Me Crazy in the year 2000.
