Richard Fraser (actor)

{{For|other people with the same name|Richard Fraser (disambiguation){{!}}Richard Fraser}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Richard Fraser

| image = Richard Fraser in The Picture of Dorian Gray trailer.jpg

| caption = Fraser in a trailer for The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

| birth_name = Richard Mackie Simpson

| birth_date = {{birth date|1913|03|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Edinburgh, Scotland

| death_date = {{death date and age|1972|01|19|1913|03|15|df=y}}

| death_place = London, England

| other_names = Richard Mackie

| education = University of Cambridge
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

| occupation = Actor

| years_active = 1941–1952

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|Louise Christine Sheldon|1938|1944|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Ann Gillis|1952|1970|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Edna Martin|1971|1972|end=died}}

}}

Richard Fraser (born Richard Mackie Simpson; 15 March 1913 – 19 January 1972) was a Scottish film, television, and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for his role in the 1945 film The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Early life

After graduating from Sedbergh School as Richard Mackie Simpson, Richard's mother divorced and his name was shortened to Richard Mackie. After attending Cambridge University, Richard Mackie studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Having spent time as a London stage actor, Richard emigrated to the US and in New York married Louise Christine Sheldon, the couple then moved to Hollywood before the Second World War. Discovering that there was already a Richard Mackie acting in the US he adopted the stage name Richard Fraser. He then signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and appeared in numerous films.

Career

His American film career reached its peak with his performance as James Vane, the vengeful brother of Sibyl Vane in the film The Picture of Dorian Gray. Richard retired from acting in 1949, returning to Britain in 1961 with his then-wife, US actress Ann Gillis, spending his most of his last decade working for the BBC in export sales.{{Cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/richard-fraser|title = Answers - the Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions| website=Answers.com }}

Selected filmography

The Ghost Goes West (1935) as Son of MacLaggen (uncredited)
Man Hunt (1941) as Navigator (uncredited)
A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) as Thorndyke
How Green Was My Valley (1941) as Davy Morgan
Joan of Paris (1942) as Geoffrey
Eagle Squadron (1942) as Lt. Jefferys
Busses Roar (1942) as Dick Remick
Desperate Journey (1942) as Squadron Leader Clark
The Gorilla Man (1943) as Lieutenant Walter Sibley
Truck Busters (1943) as Limey
Edge of Darkness (1943) as Pastor Aalesen
Thumbs Up (1943) as Douglas Heath
Holy Matrimony (1943) as John Leek (uncredited)
Ladies Courageous (1944) as Col. Andy Brennan
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) as James Vane
The Fatal Witness (1945) as Inspector William 'Bill' Trent
Scotland Yard Investigator (1945) as Inspector Cartwright
Shadow of Terror (1945) as Jim, aka Howard Norton
White Pongo (1945) as Geoffrey Bishop
The Tiger Woman (1945) as Stephen Mason
The Undercover Woman (1946) as Gregory Vixon
Bedlam (1946) as Hannay
Blonde for a Day (1946) as Dillingham 'Dilly' Smith
Cloak and Dagger (1946) as British Submarine Skipper (uncredited)
The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947) as Philippe de Cantel
Blackmail (1947) as Antoine le Blanc
The Lone Wolf in London (1947) as David Woolerton
Raw Deal (1948) as Fields
Rogues' Regiment (1948) as Rycroft
The Cobra Strikes (1948) as Michael Kent
Alaska Patrol (1949) as Operative Farrell (as Dick Fraser)
The Red Danube (1949) as Transport Pilot (uncredited)

References

External links

{{IMDb name|0292219|Richard Fraser}}

Category:1913 births

Category:1972 deaths

Category:Scottish male stage actors

Category:Scottish male film actors

Category:Male actors from Edinburgh

Category:20th-century Scottish male actors

Category:Scottish expatriate male actors in the United States

Category:Actors educated at Sedbergh School