William Ashman Fraker, A.S.C., B.S.C. (September 29, 1923 – May 31, 2010) was an American cinematographer, film director and producer. He was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. In 2000, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) honoring his career. Fraker graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1950.[1]
William A. Fraker | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Ashman Fraker September 29, 1923 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 31, 2010 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Title | A.S.C. |
| Board member of | A.S.C. (President 1979–1980, 1984, 1991–1992) |
| Spouse | Denise |
Life and career
editFraker was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of a Hollywood studio photographer. His mother was a native of Mexico who had fled the Mexican Revolution with her family. Fraker's parents died during his childhood and he was subsequently raised by his Mexican grandmother, who instructed him in photography like she had with his father before him.
He served four years in either the U.S. Navy[2][3][4] or the U.S. Coast Guard[5][6][7] during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific. Fraker then attended USC under the G.I. Bill, graduating with a degree in Cinema. He was admitted into the camera union in 1954 and subsequently spent years working in television before breaking into the film industry.[8][9][10]
As cinematographer, his films include The President's Analyst (1967), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Bullitt (1968), Paint Your Wagon (1969), The Day of the Dolphin (1973), Coonskin (1975), Looking For Mr. Goodbar (1977), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Heaven Can Wait (1978), 1941 (1979), WarGames (1983), Irreconcilable Differences (1984), Murphy's Romance (1985), Tombstone (1993), and Street Fighter (1994).[citation needed]
He directed three theatrical films – Monte Walsh (1970), A Reflection of Fear (1971) and The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) – as well as episodes of several television series.[citation needed]
Death
editFraker died on May 31, 2010, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer. He was 86. He is survived by his wife Denise. He was predeceased in 1992 by son, William A. Fraker Jr., an assistant cameraman.[11]
Filmography
editCinematographer
editFilm
editDocumentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Fritz Lang Interviewed by William Friedkin | William Friedkin | |
| 1980 | Divine Madness | Michael Ritchie | Concert film |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966-1969 | Daktari | ||
| 1973 | Ozzie's Girls | Ozzie Nelson | Episode "Pilot" |
| 1987 | Frank's Place | Hugh Wilson | Episode "Pilot" |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Fade In | Jud Taylor[a] |
| 1995 | Death in Small Doses | Sondra Locke |
- ^ Credited as Alan Smithee
Director
editFilm
- Monte Walsh (1970)
- A Reflection of Fear (1972)
- The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)
Television
| Year | Title | Episode(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Houston Knights | "Cajun Spice" |
| J.J. Starbuck | "Rag Doll" | |
| 1989 | Unsub | "Silent Stalker" |
| B.L. Stryker | "The Dancer’s Touch" | |
| Wiseguy | "Fascination for the Flame" | |
| "The Merchant of Death" | ||
| "How Will They Remember Me?" | ||
| "The Reunion" | ||
| "Day Seven" | ||
| "Sanctuary" | ||
| 1991 | The Flash | "Tina, Is That You?" |
| 1993 | Walker, Texas Ranger | "Night of the Gladiator" |
Accolades
edit| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Best Cinematography | Looking for Mr. Goodbar | Nominated |
| 1978 | Heaven Can Wait | Nominated | |
| 1979 | 1941 | Nominated | |
| Best Visual Effects | Nominated | ||
| 1983 | Best Cinematography | WarGames | Nominated |
| 1985 | Murphy's Romance | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Best Cinematography | Bullitt | Nominated |
| 1983 | Best Special Visual Effects | WarGames | Nominated |
National Society of Film Critics
| Year | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Best Cinematography | Bullitt | Nominated |
American Society of Cinematographers
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2000)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2003)
References
edit- ^ Notable Alumni Archived August 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, USC School of Cinematic Arts. Accessed March 10, 2008.
- ^ Cinematographer William A. Fraker dies The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ In Memoriam: William A. Fraker, 86 University of Southern California. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ William A. Fraker dies at 86; Hollywood cinematographer Los Angeles Times via Internet Archive. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ Colleagues fondly recall William A. Fraker, ASC, BSC whose charisma and skill made him a Society icon. American Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ William A Fraker: Celebrated cinematographer who shot Steve McQueen's famous car chase in 'Bullitt' The Independent. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ WILLIAM A. FRAKER www.cinematographers.nl. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ "William A. Fraker, 1923 – 2010". June 2, 2010.
- ^ "The ASC -- American Cinematographer: King of Cool".
- ^ "William A. Fraker Biography".
- ^ ""Coonskin" cinematographer William A. Fraker dies Archived July 8, 2012, at archive.today". forum.bcdb.com, June 1, 2010