Elisabeth Fraser
Encyclopedia
Elisabeth Fraser was a television, film and stage actress, best known for playing brassy blondes.
Born as Elisabeth Fraser Jonker in Brooklyn, New York, Fraser began her acting career six weeks after graduating 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 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
. Fraser's stage career spanned over three decades and included Broadway productions of The Best Man, The Family, and Tunnel of Love (she also appeared in the 1958 film version). Fraser guest-starred on many popular television series, but her best-known role was Sgt. Bilko's longtime girlfriend on The Phil Silvers Show
.
in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 85. She was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea.
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.
Born as Elisabeth Fraser Jonker in Brooklyn, New York, Fraser began her acting career six weeks after graduating high school; she was cast as the ingenue in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of There Shall Be No Night, which won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
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 the young daughter of the Ohio couple forced to put up with Monty Woolley
Monty Woolley
Monty Woolley was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor. At the age of 50, he achieved a measure of stardom for his best-known role in the stage play and 1942 film The Man Who Came to Dinner...
, 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
All My Sons (film)
All My Sons is a 1948 drama film based on Arthur Miller's play of the same name. It stars Edward G. Robinson as a defense contractor whose dark secret is revealed.-Cast:*Edward G...
, Roseanna McCoy
Roseanna McCoy
Roseanna McCoy is a 1949 American drama film directed by Irving Reis. The screenplay by John Collier, based on the 1947 novel of the same title by Alberta Hannum, is a romanticized and semi-fictionalized account of the Hatfield-McCoy feud.-Plot:...
, and So Big
So Big (1953 film)
So Big is a 1953 American drama film directed by Robert Wise. The screenplay by John Twist is based on the 1924 novel by Edna Ferber. It is the third adaptation of the book, following a 1924 silent film with Colleen Moore and So Big! with Barbara Stanwyck, released in 1932.-Plot:In the late 1890s,...
.
Her most notable role was as Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters was an American actress who appeared in dozens of films, as well as on stage and television; her career spanned over 50 years until her death in 2006...
' character's friend in the 1965 hit film A Patch of Blue
A Patch of Blue
A Patch of Blue is a 1965 American drama film directed by Guy Green about the relationship between a black man, Gordon , and a blind white female teenager, Selina , and the problems that plague their relationship when they fall in love in a racially divided America...
. Fraser's stage career spanned over three decades and included Broadway productions of The Best Man, The Family, and Tunnel of Love (she also appeared in the 1958 film version). Fraser guest-starred on many popular television series, but her best-known role was Sgt. Bilko's longtime girlfriend on The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show
The Phil Silvers Show is a comedy television series which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 for 142 episodes, plus a 1959 special. The series starred Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest G...
.
Death
On May 5, 2005, Fraser died of congestive heart failureCongestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
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 McDonaldRay McDonald
Raymondo Antoine "Ray" McDonald is an American professional football player who is a defensive end in the National Football League . McDonald played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he has played professionally for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.- Early years...
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.