William Ashman Fraker, ASC, BSC (September 29, 1923 – May 31, 2010) was an American cinematographer and director.
Described as "one of America's most respected cinematographers," he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography five times, and was a six-term President of the American Society of Cinematographers.
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. NavyCinematographer 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. or the U.S. Coast GuardColleagues 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. 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.
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).
Death and legacy Aged 86, Fraker died on May 31, 2010, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife Denise. He was predeceased in 1992 by son, William A. Fraker Jr., an assistant cameraman.""Coonskin" cinematographer William A. Fraker dies ". forum.bcdb.com, June 1, 2010
A room at the American Society of Cinematographers' clubhouse is named in honor of Fraker.
Filmography Cinematographer Film Year Title Director Notes 1961 Forbid Them Not Robert L. Kimble Also producer1967 Games Curtis Harrington The Fox Mark Rydell The President's Analyst Theodore J. Flicker1968 Rosemary's Baby Roman Polanski Bullitt Peter Yates 1969 Paint Your Wagon Joshua Logan 1971 Dusty and Sweets McGee Floyd Mutrux Also cast as "The Cellist" 1973 The Day of the Dolphin Mike Nichols1975 Coonskin Ralph Bakshi Rancho Deluxe Frank Perry Aloha, Bobby and Rose Floyd Mutrux1976 Gator Burt Reynolds The Killer Inside Me Burt Kennedy1977 Exorcist II: The Heretic John Boorman Looking for Mr. Goodbar Richard Brooks1978 American Hot Wax Floyd Mutrux Heaven Can Wait Warren BeattyBuck Henry1979 Old Boyfriends Joan Tewkesbury 1941 Steven Spielberg 1980 The Hollywood Knights Floyd Mutrux 1981 Sharky's Machine Burt Reynolds1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Colin Higgins Hey Good Lookin' Ralph Bakshi Uncredited 1983 WarGames John Badham1984 Irreconcilable Differences Charles Shyer Also cast as "Gabrielle Cinematographer" Protocol Herbert Ross1985 Fever Pitch Richard Brooks Murphy's Romance Martin Ritt 1986 SpaceCamp Harry Winer1987 Burglar Hugh Wilson Baby Boom Charles Shyer1989 Chances Are Emile Ardolino An Innocent Man Peter Yates 1990 The Freshman Andrew Bergman1992 Memoirs of an Invisible Man John Carpenter Honeymoon in Vegas Andrew Bergman 1993 Tombstone George P. Cosmatos Also associate producer1994 There Goes My Baby Floyd Mutrux Street Fighter Steven E. de Souza 1995 Father of the Bride Part II Charles Shyer With Elliot Davis 1996 The Island of Dr. Moreau John Frankenheimer1997 Vegas Vacation Stephen Kessler Broadway Brawler Dennis DuganLee Grant Unfinished 2000 Rules of Engagement William Friedkin With Nicola Pecorini 2001 Town & Country Peter Chelsom Also 2nd unit director (South Carolina) 2002 Waking Up in Reno Jordan Brady
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 1995 Death in Small Doses Sondra Locke
Director Film Year Title Notes 1970 Monte Walsh 1972 A Reflection of Fear 1981 The Legend of the Lone Ranger
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 1977Academy AwardsBest Cinematography Looking for Mr. Goodbar 1978 Heaven Can Wait 19791941 Best Visual Effects 1983Best Cinematography WarGames 1985 Murphy's Romance 1968BAFTA Awards Best Cinematography Bullitt 1983 Best Special Visual Effects WarGames 1968 National Society of Film Critics Best Cinematography Bullitt 2000 American Society of CinematographersLifetime Achievement Award 2003 Camerimage
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