Actor. Dashing leading man of silent films. He made his screen debut in 1912 and first won note in the title role of "Robin Hood" (1912), a three-reel saga that still survives today. Frazer subsequently played rugged heroes in adventure films and was cast as a romantic lead opposite some of the silent era's top female stars, among them Clara Kimball Young, Anita Stewart, Mae Murray and Renee Adoree. Pola Negri, who appeared with him in "Men" (1924), claimed that Frazer was the greatest actor she had ever worked with. The fact that he spent most of his career in B pictures reflects either on his luck or Negri's judgement. In 1927, while shooting "Back to God's Country" on location in the Sierras, Frazer and company were trapped in a blizzard and snowbound for nearly three weeks; the incident led to the suicide of the film's director, Lynn Reynolds. When talkies came in, he settled into character parts, often as heavies. Horror fans will remember him as the victim of witch doctor Bela Lugosi in "White Zombie" (1932). His 223 film credits include "Rob Roy" (title role, 1913), "Without Limit" (1921), "The Foolish Virgin" (1924), "Beyond the Law" (1930), "The Vampire Bat" (1933), "The Garden of Allah" (1936), "Juarez" (1939) and "Captain America" (serial, 1944). As an amateur inventor, he patented an improved process for color photography. He died of leukemia.
Actor. Dashing leading man of silent films. He made his screen debut in 1912 and first won note in the title role of "Robin Hood" (1912), a three-reel saga that still survives today. Frazer subsequently played rugged heroes in adventure films and was cast as a romantic lead opposite some of the silent era's top female stars, among them Clara Kimball Young, Anita Stewart, Mae Murray and Renee Adoree. Pola Negri, who appeared with him in "Men" (1924), claimed that Frazer was the greatest actor she had ever worked with. The fact that he spent most of his career in B pictures reflects either on his luck or Negri's judgement. In 1927, while shooting "Back to God's Country" on location in the Sierras, Frazer and company were trapped in a blizzard and snowbound for nearly three weeks; the incident led to the suicide of the film's director, Lynn Reynolds. When talkies came in, he settled into character parts, often as heavies. Horror fans will remember him as the victim of witch doctor Bela Lugosi in "White Zombie" (1932). His 223 film credits include "Rob Roy" (title role, 1913), "Without Limit" (1921), "The Foolish Virgin" (1924), "Beyond the Law" (1930), "The Vampire Bat" (1933), "The Garden of Allah" (1936), "Juarez" (1939) and "Captain America" (serial, 1944). As an amateur inventor, he patented an improved process for color photography. He died of leukemia.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Family Members
Advertisement
