William A. Fraker
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. |
| Alma mater | USC School of Cinematic Arts[1] |
| Years active | 1956–2002 |
| Spouse | Denise |
| President of the American Society of Cinematographers | |
| In office 1979, 1984, 1991 – 1980, 1984, 1992 | |
William Ashman Fraker, ASC, BSC[2] (September 29, 1923 – May 31, 2010) was an American cinematographer and director.
Described as "one of America's most respected cinematographers,"[3] he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography five times, and was a six-term President of the American Society of Cinematographers.[4]
Background
Fraker 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[5][6][7] or the U.S. Coast Guard[8][9][10] 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.[11][12][13]
Career
Fraker was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography five times - Looking For Mr. Goodbar (1977), Heaven Can Wait (1978), 1941 (1979), WarGames (1983), and Murphy's Romance (1985). He was also nominated for Best Visual Effects for 1941.
In addition to cinematography, Fraker also served as director on 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.
Fraker was a six-term President of the American Society of Cinematographers (1979, 1980, 1984, 1991, 1992).[4]
Death and legacy
Aged 86, Fraker died on May 31, 2010, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.[3] He was survived by his wife Denise. He was predeceased in 1992 by son, William A. Fraker Jr., an assistant cameraman.[14]
A room at the American Society of Cinematographers' clubhouse is named in honor of Fraker.[2]
Filmography
Cinematographer
Film
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Fritz Lang Interviewed by William Friedkin | William Friedkin | |
| 1980 | Divine Madness | Michael Ritchie | Concert film |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966-69 | 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
Film
- 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" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Academy Awards | 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 | ||
| 1968 | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | Bullitt | Nominated |
| 1983 | Best Special Visual Effects | WarGames | Nominated | |
| 1968 | National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | Bullitt | Nominated |
| 2000 | American Society of Cinematographers | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 2003 | Camerimage | Won | ||
References
- ^ Notable Alumni Archived August 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, USC School of Cinematic Arts. Accessed March 10, 2008.
- ^ a b "BSC Members | British Society of Cinematographers". bscine.com. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ a b Verrier, Richard (June 2, 2010). "William A. Fraker dies at 86; Hollywood cinematographer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ a b Press, Carolyn Giardina,The Associated (June 1, 2010). "Cinematographer William A. Fraker dies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ 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 Deprecated link archived July 8, 2012, at archive.today". forum.bcdb.com, June 1, 2010