William A. Fraker

William Ashman Fraker, A.S.C., B.S.C. was an American cinematographer and film director.

Life and career

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 or the U.S. Coast Guard 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.
As cinematographer, his films include The President's Analyst, Rosemary's Baby, Bullitt, Paint Your Wagon, The Day of the Dolphin, Coonskin, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Heaven Can Wait, 1941, WarGames, Irreconcilable Differences, Murphy's Romance, Tombstone, and Street Fighter.
He directed three theatrical films – Monte Walsh, A Reflection of Fear and The Legend of the Lone Ranger – as well as episodes of several television series.

Death

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.

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

TV movies

Year	Title	Director
1973	Fade In	Jud Taylor
1995	Death in Small Doses	Sondra Locke

Director

FilmMonte Walsh A Reflection of Fear The Legend of the Lone Ranger
Television

Year	Title	Episode
1988	Houston Knights	"Cajun Spice"
1988	J.J. Starbuck	"Rag Doll"
1989	Unsub	"Silent Stalker"
1989	B.L. Stryker	"The Dancer’s Touch"
1989	Wiseguy	"Fascination for the Flame"
1989	Wiseguy	"The Merchant of Death"
1989	Wiseguy	"How Will They Remember Me?"
1989	Wiseguy	"The Reunion"
1989	Wiseguy	"Day Seven"
1989	Wiseguy	"Sanctuary"
1991	The Flash	"Tina, Is That You?"
1993	Walker, Texas Ranger	"Night of the Gladiator"

Accolades

Academy Awards

Year	Category	Title	Result
1977	Best Cinematography	Looking for Mr. Goodbar	Nomitated
1978	Best Cinematography	Heaven Can Wait	Nomitated
1979	Best Cinematography	1941	Nomitated
1979	Best Visual Effects	1941	Nomitated
1983	Best Cinematography	WarGames	Nomitated
1985	Best Cinematography	Murphy's Romance	Nomitated

BAFTA Awards

Year	Category	Title	Result
1968	Best Cinematography	Bullitt	Nomitated
1983	Best Special Visual Effects	WarGames	Nomitated

National Society of Film Critics

Year	Category	Title	Result
1968	Best Cinematography	Bullitt	Nomitated

American Society of Cinematographers

Lifetime Achievement Award

Camerimage

Lifetime Achievement Award