William A. Fraker
William A. Fraker | |
---|---|
Born | William Ashman Fraker September 29, 1923 |
Died | May 31, 2010 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California |
Occupation | Cinematographer |
Title | A.S.C. |
Board member of | A.S.C.(President 1979–1980, 1984, 1991–1992) |
Spouse | Denise |
William Ashman Fraker,A.S.C.,B.S.C. (September 29, 1923 – May 31, 2010) was an Americancinematographer,film directorandproducer.He was nominated five times for theAcademy Award for Best Cinematography.In 2000, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from theAmerican Society of Cinematographers(ASC) honoring his career. Fraker graduated from theUSC School of Cinematic Artsin 1950.[1]
Life and career
[edit]Fraker was born inLos Angeles,California, the son of a Hollywood studio photographer. His mother was a native of Mexico who had fled theMexican Revolutionwith 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 theU.S. Navy[2][3][4]or theU.S. Coast Guard[5][6][7]duringWorld War II,seeing action in the Pacific. Fraker then attendedUSCunder theG.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 includeThe 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), andStreet Fighter(1994).[citation needed]
He directed three theatrical films –Monte Walsh(1970),A Reflection of Fear(1971) andThe Legend of the Lone Ranger(1981) – as well as episodes of several television series.[citation needed]
Death
[edit]Fraker 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
[edit]Director
- Monte Walsh(1970)
- A Reflection of Fear(1972)
- The Legend of the Lone Ranger(1981)
Cinematographer
Additional photography
Year | Title | Director | DoP |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | Miloš Forman | Haskell Wexler Bill Butler |
1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Steven Spielberg | Vilmos Zsigmond |
Awards
[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 AlumniArchivedAugust 26, 2009, at theWayback Machine,USC School of Cinematic Arts. Accessed March 10, 2008.
- ^Cinematographer William A. Fraker diesThe Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^In Memoriam: William A. Fraker, 86University of Southern California.Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^William A. Fraker dies at 86; Hollywood cinematographerLos Angeles TimesviaInternet 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. FRAKERwww.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 diesArchivedJuly 8, 2012, atarchive.today".forum.bcdb.com, June 1, 2010
External links
[edit]- Film producers from California
- American cinematographers
- American film directors of Mexican descent
- 1923 births
- 2010 deaths
- USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni
- Deaths from cancer in California
- Film directors from Los Angeles
- American television directors
- United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II
- Presidents of the American Society of Cinematographers