Brenda Frazier
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with actor Brendan Fraser
Brenda Diana Duff Frazier (June 9, 1921 – May 3, 1982) was an American debutante
popular during the Depression
era. Her December 1938 coming-out party was so heavily publicized worldwide she eventually appeared on the cover of Life
magazine for that reason alone.
who was knighted in 1910 and combined his middle name and birth surname into a new hyphenated surname) and his wife, the former Jane Fayrer Henshaw. Lady Frederick-Williams Taylor was painted in 1917 by the Swiss-born American society artist Adolfo Muller-Ury
in Nassau in the Bahamas, after which he attended Brenda Germaine's wedding to Frank Frazier in Montreal in December of that year. Both parents drank heavily, caroused separately and eventually divorced, causing little Brenda to spend much time with her social-climbing maternal grandmother.
Her parents divorced when Brenda was 11, and both her mother and father remarried. Her mother's second and third husbands were Frederick N. Watriss and Henry Pierrepont Perry.
. Sent to almost every social obligation she was invited to, she made great inroads in securing her picture everywhere. She had invented the famous “white-face” look. Powdered skin made a startling contrast to her very red painted lips combined with dark, dark hair, perfectly coiffed (Frazier's hair has often been described as "blue-black"; in fact, it was naturally a very dark brown; under low nightclub lighting and in black-and-white press photographs it appeared much darker). Brenda often developed a stiff neck, as she feared moving her head lest a hair fall out of place. She sported strapless gowns and made a sensation with that trend as well. During the year of her debut Brenda was at the beck and call of press agent
s worldwide. She was most often written about by columnist Walter Winchell
. Occasionally, she did stop to think about where all this was coming from. In Debutante: The Story of Brenda Frazier by Gioia Diliberto, Frazier's daughter, Victoria Kelly, remembered her saying, “I’m not a celebrity
,” she said, “I don’t deserve all this. I haven’t done anything at all. I’m just a debutante.” Her family was equally dumbfounded. "I fear Brenda's being spoiled," said a great-aunt at the time of her great-niece's debut. "I bemoan all this spectacular notoriety."
The press, both awestruck and vindictive, constantly wrote of “Poor Little Rich Girls”—such as Frazier, Gloria Vanderbilt
, Doris Duke
, and Barbara Hutton
. As so many in Society lost their fortunes during the Depression, lineage was no longer the sole common denominator. “Publi-ciety”—a combination of money, social standing and news coverage also entered the Winchell lexicon
. And then there were the “Glamour Girls”. In 1938 Brenda Frazier was dubbed Glamour Girl #1. In 1939 the word celebutante was coined to describe her.
Leading the pack, she had become a cottage industry. She posed in ads for Woodbury soap
and Studebaker
cars (even though she could not drive) among others. In November she achieved the apex of fame—her face on the cover of Life
magazine. The article inside gave hardly a mention of Frazier but from it she secured international wattage.
The morning of her debut her face was puffy with fever
and she was suffering from painful edema
in her legs. All in all, however, the debut was a success carried on the front page of newspapers around the world.
Frazier's fame was noted in the introduction to the Rodgers and Hart
song, Disgustingly Rich, the first act finale from their 1940 show, Higher and Higher
:
and bulimia and during the 1950s she and Kelly divorced.
where she married once more, to distant relation Robert Chatfield-Taylor. This marriage also ended in divorce.
In 1966, photographer Diane Arbus
took a now-famous picture of Frazier for Esquire
magazine. Propped up in bed with a cigarette in hand, her face haggard and worn, Frazier looked every one of her 45 years and more -- world-weary, exhausted, the parade having clearly passed her by.
Victimized by too much high living, Frazier retreated from the outside world and practically became a hermit
. Still not forgotten, however, she was mentioned in the Stephen Sondheim
song, "I'm Still Here" (from Follies
) while living in relative obscurity until her death from bone cancer in Boston
, Massachusetts
, aged 60.
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
Brenda Diana Duff Frazier (June 9, 1921 – May 3, 1982) was an American debutante
Debutante
A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...
popular during the Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
era. Her December 1938 coming-out party was so heavily publicized worldwide she eventually appeared on the cover of Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine for that reason alone.
Early life
Brenda's father, Frank Duff Frazier, came from a prosperous Boston family. Her mother, the former Brenda Germaine Henshaw Williams-Taylor, was the only daughter of Sir Frederick Williams-Taylor (a general manager of the Bank of MontrealBank of Montreal
The Bank of Montreal , , or BMO Financial Group, is the fourth largest bank in Canada by deposits. The Bank of Montreal was founded on June 23, 1817 by John Richardson and eight merchants in a rented house in Montreal, Quebec. On May 19, 1817 the Articles of Association were adopted, making it...
who was knighted in 1910 and combined his middle name and birth surname into a new hyphenated surname) and his wife, the former Jane Fayrer Henshaw. Lady Frederick-Williams Taylor was painted in 1917 by the Swiss-born American society artist Adolfo Muller-Ury
Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Muller-Ury was a Swiss-born American portrait painter and impressionistic painter of roses and still life.-Heritage and early life in Switzerland:...
in Nassau in the Bahamas, after which he attended Brenda Germaine's wedding to Frank Frazier in Montreal in December of that year. Both parents drank heavily, caroused separately and eventually divorced, causing little Brenda to spend much time with her social-climbing maternal grandmother.
Her parents divorced when Brenda was 11, and both her mother and father remarried. Her mother's second and third husbands were Frederick N. Watriss and Henry Pierrepont Perry.
Fame
Frazier completed her education at Miss Chapin's School for Girls and Miss Porter's SchoolMiss Porter's School
Miss Porter's School, sometimes simply referred to as Porter's or Farmington, is a private college preparatory school for girls located in Farmington, Connecticut.- History :...
. Sent to almost every social obligation she was invited to, she made great inroads in securing her picture everywhere. She had invented the famous “white-face” look. Powdered skin made a startling contrast to her very red painted lips combined with dark, dark hair, perfectly coiffed (Frazier's hair has often been described as "blue-black"; in fact, it was naturally a very dark brown; under low nightclub lighting and in black-and-white press photographs it appeared much darker). Brenda often developed a stiff neck, as she feared moving her head lest a hair fall out of place. She sported strapless gowns and made a sensation with that trend as well. During the year of her debut Brenda was at the beck and call of press agent
Press agent
A press agent, or flack, is a professional publicist who acts on behalf of his or her client on all matters involving public relations. Press agents are typically employed by public personalities and organizations such as performers and businesses...
s worldwide. She was most often written about by columnist Walter Winchell
Walter Winchell
Walter Winchell was an American newspaper and radio gossip commentator.-Professional career:Born Walter Weinschel in New York City, he left school in the sixth grade and started performing in a vaudeville troupe known as Gus Edwards' "Newsboys Sextet."His career in journalism was begun by posting...
. Occasionally, she did stop to think about where all this was coming from. In Debutante: The Story of Brenda Frazier by Gioia Diliberto, Frazier's daughter, Victoria Kelly, remembered her saying, “I’m not a celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
,” she said, “I don’t deserve all this. I haven’t done anything at all. I’m just a debutante.” Her family was equally dumbfounded. "I fear Brenda's being spoiled," said a great-aunt at the time of her great-niece's debut. "I bemoan all this spectacular notoriety."
The press, both awestruck and vindictive, constantly wrote of “Poor Little Rich Girls”—such as Frazier, Gloria Vanderbilt
Gloria Vanderbilt
Gloria Laura Vanderbilt is an American artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite most noted as an early developer of designer blue jeans...
, Doris Duke
Doris Duke
Doris Duke was an American heiress, horticulturalist, art collector, and philanthropist.-Family and early life:...
, and Barbara Hutton
Barbara Hutton
Barbara Woolworth Hutton was an American socialite dubbed by the media as the "Poor Little Rich Girl" because of her troubled life...
. As so many in Society lost their fortunes during the Depression, lineage was no longer the sole common denominator. “Publi-ciety”—a combination of money, social standing and news coverage also entered the Winchell lexicon
Lexicon
In linguistics, the lexicon of a language is its vocabulary, including its words and expressions. A lexicon is also a synonym of the word thesaurus. More formally, it is a language's inventory of lexemes. Coined in English 1603, the word "lexicon" derives from the Greek "λεξικόν" , neut...
. And then there were the “Glamour Girls”. In 1938 Brenda Frazier was dubbed Glamour Girl #1. In 1939 the word celebutante was coined to describe her.
Leading the pack, she had become a cottage industry. She posed in ads for Woodbury soap
Woodbury Soap Company
Woodbury Soap Company, "The skin you love to touch" Woodbury Soap Company has existed as a brand for over one hundred years. Their name is or was on products such as cold cream, facial cream, facial powder, after-shave talc and ear swabs.- History :The John H. Woodbury company was established in...
and Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
cars (even though she could not drive) among others. In November she achieved the apex of fame—her face on the cover of Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine. The article inside gave hardly a mention of Frazier but from it she secured international wattage.
The morning of her debut her face was puffy with fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
and she was suffering from painful edema
Edema
Edema or oedema ; both words from the Greek , oídēma "swelling"), formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin or in one or more cavities of the body that produces swelling...
in her legs. All in all, however, the debut was a success carried on the front page of newspapers around the world.
Frazier's fame was noted in the introduction to the Rodgers and Hart
Rodgers and Hart
Rodgers and Hart were an American songwriting partnership of composer Richard Rodgers and the lyricist Lorenz Hart...
song, Disgustingly Rich, the first act finale from their 1940 show, Higher and Higher
Higher and Higher
Higher and Higher may refer to:* Higher and Higher , a 1940 Broadway musical* Higher and Higher , a 1943 film adaptation of the musical* "Higher and Higher" , a 1969 song by The Moody Blues...
:
- Brenda Frazier sat on a wall.
- Brenda Frazier had a big fall.
- Brenda Frazier's falling down, falling down, falling down.
- Brenda Frazier's falling down, my fair Minnie!
Personal life
Frazier married football star John Simms Kelly (a.k.a. Shipwreck Kelly) in New York in 1941. She gave birth to a daughter, Brenda Victoria, in 1945 and attempted a typical upper-class suburban marriage; however, the excessive nightlife and a natural disinclination to play the role of society hostess caught up with her. She experienced several nervous breakdowns, suffered from anorexiaAnorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Although commonly called "anorexia", that term on its own denotes any symptomatic loss of appetite and is not strictly accurate...
and bulimia and during the 1950s she and Kelly divorced.
Later years and death
After several tempestuous relationships, Frazier and daughter moved to a small town near Cape CodCape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
where she married once more, to distant relation Robert Chatfield-Taylor. This marriage also ended in divorce.
In 1966, photographer Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus March 14, 1923 – July 26, 1971) was an American photographer and writer noted for black-and-white square photographs of "deviant and marginal people or of people whose normality seems ugly or surreal." A friend said that Arbus said that she was "afraid.....
took a now-famous picture of Frazier for Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
magazine. Propped up in bed with a cigarette in hand, her face haggard and worn, Frazier looked every one of her 45 years and more -- world-weary, exhausted, the parade having clearly passed her by.
Victimized by too much high living, Frazier retreated from the outside world and practically became a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
. Still not forgotten, however, she was mentioned in the Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
song, "I'm Still Here" (from Follies
Follies
Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies," a musical revue , that played in that theatre between the World Wars...
) while living in relative obscurity until her death from bone cancer in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, aged 60.