Franklin Bryant Washburn III (April 28, 1889 – April 30, 1963) was an American film actor who appeared in more than 370 films between 1911 and 1947. Washburn's parents were Franklin Bryant Washburn II and Metha Catherine Johnson Washburn. He attended Lake View High School in Chicago.
Washburn's early acting experience came in stock theater. He debuted in film in 1911 with Essanay Studios. He quickly became a comedy star after appearing in films such as Skinner's Baby and Skinner's Dress Suit in 1917.
His second marriage was to actress Virginia Vance. They had a child together.
He died from a heart attack in Hollywood. His interment was located in Culver City, California's Holy Cross Cemetery. His son, Bryant Washburn, Jr. (1915–1960), was also an actor, a major in the US Air Force Reserve, served during World War II and Korea, and predeceased him.