Biography for
Dan Frazer More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

20 November 1921, Hells Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (now Clinton, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA)

Date of Death

16 December 2011, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (cardiac arrest)

Birth Name

Daniel Thomas Frazer

Mini Biography

Son of a bricklayer and ironworker, who was involved in the construction of the Empire State Building, Dan Frazer first acted in local theatre in his rough 'Hell's Kitchen' neighbourhood on the Manhattan West Side. He also benefited from the Federal Theatre Project, funded by the Works Progress Administration after the onset of the Great Depression. During World War II, Dan helped entertain troops as a member of the U.S. Army Special Services, subsequently making his first appearance on Broadway as a marine in 'Christopher Blake'. He began acting on the small screen during the 1950's, appearing in anything from anthology series, to comedies, to crime drama. His motion picture debut did not eventuate until 1963, when he portrayed a priest in Lilies of the Field (1963).

For the best part of his screen career, Dan portrayed an assortment of clergymen and cops, almost invariably honest, hard-working types. Internationally, he became best known as Telly Savalas's nervous NYPD boss, Captain Frank McNeil, during all five seasons of "Kojak" (1973); and as Virgil Starkwell's (Woody Allen's) psychiatrist in the hilarious Take the Money and Run (1969). Dan Frazer was a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis

Spouse

Lillian (Lee) Hogsett

(? - 13 May 1999) (her death) 1 child

Trivia

His only child, Susanna Frazer, was a dancer at the American Ballet Theater (ABT) and the Joffrey Ballet.

Born in the "Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan, he was one of 10 children. His father was a watchman.