Background
Fraser, Ian was born on August 23, 1933 in Hove, England. Son of Jack Greenfield and Sheila (Watson) Fraser.
Fraser, Ian was born on August 23, 1933 in Hove, England. Son of Jack Greenfield and Sheila (Watson) Fraser.
He attended Eastbourne College between 1945 and 1951.
His first 23 Emmy nominations, received between 1977 and 1999, were consecutive, which is the longest run of individual nominations in the history of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He was known for his professional associations with such artists as actress-singer Julie Andrews, singer-songwriter Anthony Newley and composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse. He served for five years in the British Armed Forces and performed as a solo concert pianist, harpist and percussionist with the Royal Artillery Band.
Fraser met Anthony Newley while working at Decca Records in the 1950s and was hired as arranger and musical director of Newley and Leslie Bricusse"s new stage musical, Stop the World – I Want to Get Office.
The show was a hit upon its opening on West End in 1961, and when it transferred to Broadway the following year, Fraser went with lieutenant After Stop the World – I Want to Get Office ended its Broadway run in 1964, Fraser decided to continue residing in the United States, though he would frequently return to England for work.
Living in New York City, he again worked with Bricusse on the musical Pickwick, which, like Stop the World, had transferred to Broadway from West End. After Pickwick closed in November 1965, Fraser relocated to Los Los Angeles
He re-teamed with both Bricusse and Newley on the 1967 musical film Doctor Dolittle, the aforementioned Scrooge, and Hallmark Hall of Fame"s 1976 television musical Peter Pan.
He also collaborated with Bricusse on the 1986 television movie Babes in Toyland. His professional relationship with Julie Andrews began in 1972 when he was recruited as vocal arranger for The Julie Andrews Hour. Fraser died of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, on October 31, 2014.
He was 81.
Member American Federations Musicians, Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy television Arts and Sciences (board governors 1982-1986, 88-91).
Married Joyce Ryland, 1953 (divorced 1962). Children: Nigel, Debra Jayne. Married Judith Morton, December 12, 1964.
Children: Tiffany Leigh, Neal Leslie.