He announced last year that he wouldn't seek a 17th term. Frank will be succeeded by another potential political star, Rep. Joe Kennedy, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy.
Frank plans to make two homes in retirement, one along the southern Maine coast and the other in the Boston area. He hopes to teach at Harvard University and Harvard Law School next fall in addition to the paid public gigs his agent has already begun to arrange.
"If he comes to your town, go hear him. Because he's refreshing, he's as informed about such a broad of issues, and he is willing to say the things that other people are thinking," says Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh. "We're going to miss him as an elected representative, but I'm excited that we probably won't lack an opportunity to hear from him."
One of Frank's first public appearances will come in New York City's theater scene the first Saturday in February. He says he's agreed to a walk-on part in "Fiorello!", a Broadway musical about former mayor Fiorello LaGuardia of New York.
He hasn't ruled out movie appearances, but says he's more likely to focus on being an active voice in the political arena.
"I had a request to do a cameo on a network TV show, but I didn't like the script," Frank says, declining to name the show. "So, if they won't change it, I won't do it. It was kind of demeaning to politicians."
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