John Fraser (actor): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Scottish actor}} |
{{Short description|Scottish actor and author (1931–2020)}} |
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{{Use British English|date=May 2015}} |
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = John Fraser |
| name = John Fraser |
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| image = |
| image = John_Fraser_(actor).jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = ''[[Picturegoer]]'' postcard, 1950s |
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| birth_name = John Alexander Fraser |
| birth_name = John Alexander Fraser |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1931|3|18|df=yes}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1931|3|18|df=yes}} |
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| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] |
| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] |
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|6|1931|3|18|df=y}} |
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|6|1931|3|18|df=y}} |
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| death_place = |
| death_place = |
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| occupation = Actor |
| occupation = {{hlist | Actor | writer}} |
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| years_active = 1952–1996 |
| years_active = 1952–1996 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''John Alexander Fraser''' (18 March 1931 – 6 November 2020) was a Scottish actor and author.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f9c18ae|title=John Fraser|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}</ref><ref name="HuffingtonPost">{{cite news|last1=Percival|first1=Ash|title=John Fraser, The Dam Busters Star, Dies Aged 89|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/john-fraser-dead-dies-dam-busters_uk_5faaaa08c5b623bfac54002d|work= |
'''John Alexander Fraser''' (18 March 1931 – 6 November 2020) was a Scottish actor and author.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f9c18ae|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423085347/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f9c18ae|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 April 2017|title=John Fraser|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]}}</ref><ref name="HuffingtonPost">{{cite news|last1=Percival|first1=Ash|title=John Fraser, The Dam Busters Star, Dies Aged 89|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/john-fraser-dead-dies-dam-busters_uk_5faaaa08c5b623bfac54002d|work=HuffPost|date=10 November 2020}}</ref> He is best known for his performances in the films ''[[The Dam Busters (1955 film)|The Dam Busters]]'' (1955), |
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''[[The Good Companions (1957 film)|The Good Companions]]'' (1957), ''[[The Trials of Oscar Wilde]]'' (1960), ''[[El Cid (film)|El Cid]]'' (1961), ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Isadora (film)|Isadora]]'' (1968). |
''[[The Good Companions (1957 film)|The Good Companions]]'' (1957), ''[[The Trials of Oscar Wilde]]'' (1960), ''[[El Cid (film)|El Cid]]'' (1961), ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Isadora (film)|Isadora]]'' (1968). |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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One of his earliest roles was as Inigo Jollifant in [[The Good Companions (1957 film)|the second film version]] of [[J.B. Priestley]]'s ''[[The Good Companions]]'' (1957).<ref>{{ |
One of his earliest roles was as Inigo Jollifant in [[The Good Companions (1957 film)|the second film version]] of [[J.B. Priestley]]'s ''[[The Good Companions]]'' (1957).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ab5be42|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004050851/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ab5be42|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2017|title=The Good Companions (1957)|publisher=British Film Institute}}</ref> Later, Fraser had leading roles in films such as ''[[El Cid (film)|El Cid]]'', ''[[Tunes of Glory]]'', ''[[The Trials of Oscar Wilde]]'' (playing [[Lord Alfred Douglas]]), [[Roman Polanski]]'s ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'', ''[[Isadora (film)|Isadora]]'' and ''[[Schizo (1976 film)|Schizo]]''.<ref name=bfi/> He made appearances on television series including ''[[Danger Man]]'' (1964), ''[[Casting the Runes (1968 film)|Casting the Runes]]'' (1968), ''[[Randall and Hopkirk]]'' (1969), ''[[Columbo]]'' (1972), ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (1981), and ''[[The Bill]]'' (1995).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=6063|title=John Fraser|website=aveleyman.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/people/john-fraser/|title=John Fraser|last=TV.com|website=TV.com}}</ref> |
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He released several singles in the late 1950s |
He released several singles in the late 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.45cat.com/record/7n15118|title=John Fraser - Trolley Stop|via=45cat.com}}</ref> |
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In 2004, he published his autobiography, ''Close Up'', in which he wrote frankly about his gay life and friendships.<ref>{{cite book|title=Close Up : An Actor Telling Tales The Autobiography of John Fraser |last=Fraser |first=John |year=2004 |publisher=Oberon Books |location=London UK |isbn=978-1-84002-457-9 |edition=1st, Sarah Zaluckyj}}</ref> In the book, Fraser wrote that actor [[Laurence Harvey]] was gay and that his long-term lover was his manager [[ |
In 2004, he published his autobiography, ''Close Up'', in which he wrote frankly about his gay life and friendships.<ref>{{cite book|title=Close Up : An Actor Telling Tales The Autobiography of John Fraser |last=Fraser |first=John |year=2004 |publisher=Oberon Books |location=London UK |isbn=978-1-84002-457-9 |edition=1st, Sarah Zaluckyj}}</ref> In the book, Fraser wrote that actor [[Laurence Harvey]] was gay and that his long-term lover was his manager [[James Woolf]].<ref name=Guardian>''The Guardian'' [https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,,1318021,00.html "Sexy self-image that revved up Dirk Bogarde"], 2 October 2004</ref> Of [[Dirk Bogarde]], Fraser wrote, "Dirk's life with [Anthony] [[Anthony Forwood|Forwood]] had been so respectable, their love for each other so profound and so enduring, it would have been a glorious day for the pursuit of understanding and the promotion of tolerance if he had screwed up the courage ... to make one dignified allusion to his true nature. Self-love is no substitute for self-respect."<ref name=Guardian/> |
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==Personal life and death== |
==Personal life and death== |
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Fraser died from [[oesophageal cancer]] on 6 November 2020 at the age of 89.<ref name="HuffingtonPost" /><ref> |
Fraser died from [[oesophageal cancer]] on 6 November 2020 at the age of 89.<ref name="HuffingtonPost" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=6063|title=John Fraser|website=aveleyman.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishpictures.com/|title=It's not just Michael Powell: British films of the 30s, 40s and 50s|website=britishpictures.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=John Fraser, prolific film actor of 1950s and 1960s once dubbed most handsome man in Britain – obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/11/09/john-fraser-prolific-film-actor-1950s-1960s-dubbed-handsome/|work=The Telegraph|date=9 November 2020}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=In pictures: Scottish screen legend John Fraser dead at 89 after battle with cancer|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18861484.scots-actor-john-fraser-dead-89-cancer-battle/|access-date=3 August 2021|website=The Herald|location=Glasgow|date=10 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Selected filmography== |
==Selected filmography== |
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{|class="wikitable" |
{|class="wikitable" |
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!Year!!Title!!Role!!Awards |
!Year!!Title!!Role!!Awards / Notes |
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|1953||''[[The Good Beginning]]''||Johnny Lipson|| |
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|1953||''[[Valley of Song]]''||Cliff Lloyd|| |
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|1953||''[[The Desert Rats (film)|The Desert Rats]]''||Artillery Man|| |
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|1953||''[[Titanic (1953 film)|Titanic]]''||Steward|| |
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|1954||''[[The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships]]''||Drago|| |
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|1955||''[[Touch and Go (1955 film)|Touch and Go]]''||Richard Kenyon|| |
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|1957||''[[The Good Companions (1957 film)|The Good Companions]]''||Inigo Jollifant|| |
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|1958||''[[The Wind Cannot Read]]''||Peter Munroe|| |
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|1965||''[[Operation Crossbow (film)|Operation Crossbow]]''||Flight Lieutenant Kenny|| |
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|1960||''[[Tunes of Glory]]''||Corporal Piper Ian Fraser|| |
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|1961||''[[El Cid (film)|El Cid]]''||Prince Alfonso|| |
|1961||''[[El Cid (film)|El Cid]]''||Prince Alfonso|| |
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|1961||''[[Fury at Smugglers' Bay]]''||Christopher Trevenyan|| |
|1961||''[[Fury at Smugglers' Bay]]''||Christopher Trevenyan|| |
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|1963|| ''[[Tamahine]]''||Richard Poole|| |
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|1965||''[[A Study in Terror]]''||Lord Carfax|| |
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|1965||''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]''||Colin|| |
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|1965||''[[Operation Crossbow (film)|Operation Crossbow]]''||Flight Lieutenant Kenny|| |
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|1968||''[[Isadora (film)|Isadora]]''||Roger|| |
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|1975||''The Doll''||Peter Matty|| 3 episodes |
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|1976||''[[Schizo (1976 film)|Schizo]]''||Leonard Hawthorne|| |
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|1978|| ''[[Wilde Alliance]]'' ||Colonel Stone|| Episode:''The Private Army of Colonel Stone'' |
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|1953||''[[The Desert Rats (film)|The Desert Rats]]''||Artillery Man|| |
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|1981||''[[Doctor Who]]'': ''[[Logopolis]]''||The Monitor|| |
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|1982||''[[Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House]]''||Uncle Gideon|| 6 episodes |
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|1996||''Truth or Dare''||Gordon Hillan|| |
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==Selected recordings== |
==Selected recordings== |
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* 1957 - Bye Bye Love / Why Don't They Understand |
* 1957 - Bye Bye Love / Why Don't They Understand |
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* 1958 - Presenting John Fraser (EP) with Tony Osborne, the Beryl Stott Group, the Kim Drake Orchestra |
* 1958 - Presenting John Fraser (EP) with Tony Osborne, the Beryl Stott Group, the Kim Drake Orchestra |
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* 1958 - Trolley Stop / Bye Bye Love with the Beryl Stott Group |
* 1958 - Trolley Stop / Bye Bye Love with the Beryl Stott Group |
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* 1959 - Bye Bye Baby Goodbye |
* 1959 - Bye Bye Baby Goodbye |
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* 1960 - Jaula Dorada / Adios Adios Muchacha / Adios Amor / Por Que No Comprenden |
* 1960 - Jaula Dorada / Adios Adios Muchacha / Adios Amor / Por Que No Comprenden |
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==Footnotes== |
==Footnotes== |
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{{reflist}} |
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<references /> |
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==Bibliography of works== |
==Bibliography of works== |
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* {{cite book | last=Fraser | first=John | title=The Wild Beast May Break Them | publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd | date=2007 | isbn=978-1-906221-26-3}} |
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* {{Cite book |
* {{Cite book |
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|last=Fraser |
|last=Fraser |
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[[Category:1931 births]] |
[[Category:1931 births]] |
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[[Category:2020 deaths]] |
[[Category:2020 deaths]] |
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[[Category:20th-century Scottish male actors]] |
[[Category:20th-century Scottish male actors]] |
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[[Category:21st-century Scottish LGBT people]] |
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[[Category:21st-century Scottish male actors]] |
[[Category:21st-century Scottish male actors]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:21st-century Scottish male writers]] |
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[[Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer]] |
[[Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Male actors from Glasgow]] |
[[Category:Male actors from Glasgow]] |
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[[Category:Scottish expatriates in Italy]] |
[[Category:Scottish expatriates in Italy]] |
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[[Category:Scottish male film actors]] |
[[Category:Scottish male film actors]] |
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[[Category:Scottish male stage actors]] |
[[Category:Scottish male stage actors]] |
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[[Category:Scottish male television actors]] |
[[Category:Scottish male television actors]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:51, 7 June 2024
John Fraser | |
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Born | John Alexander Fraser 18 March 1931 |
Died | 6 November 2020 | (aged 89)
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1952–1996 |
John Alexander Fraser (18 March 1931 – 6 November 2020) was a Scottish actor and author.[1][2] He is best known for his performances in the films The Dam Busters (1955), The Good Companions (1957), The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960), El Cid (1961), Repulsion (1965) and Isadora (1968).
Career
[edit]One of his earliest roles was as Inigo Jollifant in the second film version of J.B. Priestley's The Good Companions (1957).[3] Later, Fraser had leading roles in films such as El Cid, Tunes of Glory, The Trials of Oscar Wilde (playing Lord Alfred Douglas), Roman Polanski's Repulsion, Isadora and Schizo.[1] He made appearances on television series including Danger Man (1964), Casting the Runes (1968), Randall and Hopkirk (1969), Columbo (1972), Doctor Who (1981), and The Bill (1995).[4][5]
He released several singles in the late 1950s.[6]
In 2004, he published his autobiography, Close Up, in which he wrote frankly about his gay life and friendships.[7] In the book, Fraser wrote that actor Laurence Harvey was gay and that his long-term lover was his manager James Woolf.[8] Of Dirk Bogarde, Fraser wrote, "Dirk's life with [Anthony] Forwood had been so respectable, their love for each other so profound and so enduring, it would have been a glorious day for the pursuit of understanding and the promotion of tolerance if he had screwed up the courage ... to make one dignified allusion to his true nature. Self-love is no substitute for self-respect."[8]
Personal life and death
[edit]Fraser died from oesophageal cancer on 6 November 2020 at the age of 89.[2][9][10][11][12]
Selected filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Awards / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1953 | The Good Beginning | Johnny Lipson | |
1953 | Valley of Song | Cliff Lloyd | |
1953 | The Desert Rats | Artillery Man | |
1953 | Titanic | Steward | |
1954 | The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships | Drago | |
1955 | Touch and Go | Richard Kenyon | |
1955 | The Dam Busters | Flight Lieutenant John Hopgood DFC | |
1957 | The Good Companions | Inigo Jollifant | |
1958 | The Wind Cannot Read | Peter Munroe | |
1960 | The Trials of Oscar Wilde | Lord Alfred Douglas | BAFTA nomination[13] |
1960 | Tunes of Glory | Corporal Piper Ian Fraser | |
1961 | El Cid | Prince Alfonso | |
1961 | Fury at Smugglers' Bay | Christopher Trevenyan | |
1962 | Waltz of the Toreadors | Lt. Finch | |
1963 | Tamahine | Richard Poole | |
1965 | A Study in Terror | Lord Carfax | |
1965 | Repulsion | Colin | |
1965 | Operation Crossbow | Flight Lieutenant Kenny | |
1966 | Doctor in Clover | Miles Grimsdyke | |
1968 | Isadora | Roger | |
1975 | The Doll | Peter Matty | 3 episodes |
1976 | Schizo | Leonard Hawthorne | |
1978 | Wilde Alliance | Colonel Stone | Episode:The Private Army of Colonel Stone |
1981 | Doctor Who: Logopolis | The Monitor | |
1982 | Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House | Uncle Gideon | 6 episodes |
1996 | Truth or Dare | Gordon Hillan |
Selected recordings
[edit]- 1957 - Bye Bye Love / Why Don't They Understand
- 1958 - Presenting John Fraser (EP) with Tony Osborne, the Beryl Stott Group, the Kim Drake Orchestra
- 1958 - Trolley Stop / Bye Bye Love with the Beryl Stott Group
- 1959 - Bye Bye Baby Goodbye
- 1960 - Jaula Dorada / Adios Adios Muchacha / Adios Amor / Por Que No Comprenden
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ a b "John Fraser". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017.
- ^ a b Percival, Ash (10 November 2020). "John Fraser, The Dam Busters Star, Dies Aged 89". HuffPost.
- ^ "The Good Companions (1957)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017.
- ^ "John Fraser". aveleyman.com.
- ^ TV.com. "John Fraser". TV.com.
- ^ "John Fraser - Trolley Stop" – via 45cat.com.
- ^ Fraser, John (2004). Close Up : An Actor Telling Tales The Autobiography of John Fraser (1st, Sarah Zaluckyj ed.). London UK: Oberon Books. ISBN 978-1-84002-457-9.
- ^ a b The Guardian "Sexy self-image that revved up Dirk Bogarde", 2 October 2004
- ^ "John Fraser". aveleyman.com.
- ^ "It's not just Michael Powell: British films of the 30s, 40s and 50s". britishpictures.com.
- ^ "John Fraser, prolific film actor of 1950s and 1960s once dubbed most handsome man in Britain – obituary". The Telegraph. 9 November 2020. (subscription required)
- ^ "In pictures: Scottish screen legend John Fraser dead at 89 after battle with cancer". The Herald. Glasgow. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org.
Bibliography of works
[edit]- Fraser, John (2007). The Wild Beast May Break Them. Troubador Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906221-26-3.
- Fraser, John (2004). Close Up. Oberon. ISBN 1-84002-504-2.
- Fraser, J. (1986). In Place of Reason. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-40718-0.
- Fraser, J. (1978). The Bard in the Bush. Granada. ISBN 0-246-11014-7.
- Fraser, J. (1969). Clap Hands If You Believe in Fairies. Collins. ISBN 0-00-221116-5.
External links
[edit]- John Fraser at IMDb
- John Fraser discography at Discogs
- The Guardian obituary
- 1931 births
- 2020 deaths
- 20th-century Scottish LGBT people
- 20th-century Scottish male actors
- 20th-century Scottish male writers
- 21st-century Scottish LGBT people
- 21st-century Scottish male actors
- 21st-century Scottish male writers
- Deaths from esophageal cancer in the United Kingdom
- Male actors from Glasgow
- Scottish expatriates in Italy
- Scottish gay actors
- Scottish gay writers
- Scottish male film actors
- Scottish male stage actors
- Scottish male television actors
- Scottish actor stubs