Elisabeth Fraser

Elisabeth Fraser (born Elisabeth Fraser Jonker, January 8, 1920 – May 5, 2005) was an American actress, best known for playing brassy blondes.

Elisabeth Fraser
Born
Elisabeth Fraser Jonker

(1920-01-08)January 8, 1920
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 5, 2005(2005-05-05) (aged 85)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1941–1980
Spouse(s)Ray McDonald (1944–1952; divorced) 3 children
Charles K. Peck Jr. (19??–19??; divorced)

Life and career

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was educated in Haiti, France and New York.[1]

Fraser began her acting career six weeks after graduating from high school; she was cast as the ingenue in the Broadway production of There Shall Be No Night, which won the Pulitzer Prize for the 1940-1941 season. Fraser obtained a contract with Warner Brothers studios. She appeared in dozens of films.

One of her first roles was in The Man Who Came to Dinner as June Stanley, the young daughter of the Ohio couple forced to put up with Monty Woolley, who tells her to follow her heart to the man she loves, a trade unionist in her father's company, regardless of her father's feelings. She also appeared in All My Sons, Roseanna McCoy, and So Big.

Her most notable role was as Shelley Winters' character's friend in the 1965 hit film A Patch of Blue. She also played in the movie Ask Any Girl as Jeannie with Shirley MacLaine. Fraser's stage career spanned over three decades and included Broadway productions of The Best Man, The Family, and Tunnel of Love[2] (she also appeared in the 1958 film version).[3]

Television

She played Hazel Norris on the television version of Fibber McGee and Molly,[4] Frances Warner in McKeever and the Colonel,[4]:673 Josie Ryan in Off We Go,[4]:781 Mildred Hogan in One Happy Family,[4]:789 and Sgt. Bilko's longtime girlfriend, Joan, on The Phil Silvers Show.[4]:830 She also guest-starred on many popular television series, including three guest appearances on Perry Mason, such as the role of Estelle Paige in the 1966 episode, "The Case of the Sausalito Sunrise." She also made four appearances on Maude.

Book

Fraser wrote a book, Once Upon a Dime. Newspaper columnist Terry Vernon described the book as "a humorous account of what happens to a divorced actress with three children who arrives in Hollywood."[5]

Death

On May 5, 2005, Fraser died of congestive heart failure in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 85. She was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea.

Personal life

Fraser was married to Ray McDonald from 1944 to 1952. The marriage ended in divorce. She later married Charles K. Peck Jr. but that marriage also ended in divorce. Fraser and McDonald had three children.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1941One Foot in HeavenEileen Spence
1942The Man Who Came to DinnerJune Stanley
1942Busses RoarBetty
1942The Hidden HandMary Winfield
1942Commandos Strike at DawnAnna Korstad
1948All My SonsLydia Lubey
1949Roseanna McCoyBess McCoy
1949Dear WifeKate Collins
1950Hills of OklahomaSharon Forbes
1951When I Grow UpMother Reed (modern)
1951Callaway Went ThatawayMarie
1951Death of a SalesmanMiss ForsytheUncredited
1953So BigJulie Hempel
1954The Steel CageMarie, Louie's Girl(segment "The Chef")
1954Young at HeartAmy Tuttle
1958The Tunnel of LoveAlice Pepper
1959Ask Any GirlJennie Boyden
1962Two for the SeesawSophie
1963Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?Dora Ashley
1965A Patch of BlueSadie
1966SecondsPlump Blonde
1966The Glass Bottom BoatNina Bailey
1967The Way WestMrs. Fairman
1967Tony RomeIrma
1967The GraduateParty GuestUncredited
1967The Ballad of JosieWidow Renfrew
19809 to 5Uncredited, (final film role)
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References
  1. "Elisabeth Fraser Wandered In and Lunts Gave Her Job". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York, Brooklyn. December 27, 1942. p. 29. Retrieved June 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "(Elisabeth Fraser search)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  3. "New Comedy Set At Manos Soon". The Evening Standard. Pennsylvania, Uniontown. The Evening Standard. December 6, 1958. p. 5. Retrieved June 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 340.
  5. Vernon, Terry (January 13, 1961). "Tele-Vues". Independent. California, Long Beach. p. 27. Retrieved June 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
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