Elizabeth Joan Winch (14 August 1930 – 6 September 2018), known professionally as Liz Fraser, was a British film actress, best known for being cast in provocative comedy roles.

Early life

Fraser was born in

Southwark Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...

, London. Her year of birth was usually cited as 1933, which she gave when auditioning for her role in '' I'm All Right Jack'', because the

Boulting Brothers John Edward Boulting (21 December 1913 – 17 June 1985) and Roy Alfred Clarence Boulting (21 December 1913 – 5 November 2001), known collectively as the Boulting brothers, were English filmmakers and identical twins who became known for thei ...

wanted someone younger for the part. In fact she was three years older, as she confirmed in her autobiography, ''Liz Fraser ... and Other Characters'', published by Signum Books in 2012. Her father was a travelling salesman for a brewery and her mother owned a

corner shop A convenience store, convenience shop, corner store or corner shop is a small retail business that stocks a range of everyday items such as coffee, groceries, snack foods, confectionery, soft drinks, ice creams, tobacco products, lottery ...

just off the New Kent Road. Their family life was disrupted by the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, when she was evacuated, initially to

Westerham Westerham is a town and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. It is located 3.4 miles east of Oxted and 6 miles west of Sevenoaks, adjacent to the Kent border with both Greater London and Surrey. It is recorded as early a ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

and then, when that was deemed still too vulnerable to bombing, to

Chudleigh Chudleigh () is an ancient wool town located within the Teignbridge District Council area of Devon, England between Newton Abbot and Exeter. The electoral ward with the same name had a population of 6,125 at the 2011 census. Geography Chu ...

, a village in

Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...

. Her father died in May 1942, aged 40, when she was 11. She went to St Saviour's and St Olave's Grammar School for Girls between the ages of 13 and 17. She then attended evening courses at

Goldsmiths College Goldsmiths, University of London, officially the Goldsmiths' College, is a constituent research university of the University of London in England. It was originally founded in 1891 as The Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute by the Wor ...

, where she joined a drama group, and the City of London College for Commerce, Book-Keeping, Shorthand and Typing, and won an evening scholarship to the London School of Dramatic Art.

Career

Her first film appearance was in '' Touch and Go'' (1955), using her birth name, and '' The Smallest Show on Earth'' (1957) in which she worked with

Peter Sellers Peter Sellers (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first came to prominence performing in the BBC Radio comedy series ''The Goon Show'', featured on a number of hit comic songs ...

for the first time. Fraser also appeared in commercial television's first live play ''The Geranium'' for

Associated-Rediffusion Associated-Rediffusion, later Rediffusion London, was the British ITV franchise holder for London and parts of the surrounding counties, on weekdays between 22 September 1955 and 29 July 1968. It was the first ITA franchisee to go on air, ...

. She made an uncredited appearance as June in ''Alive and Kicking'' (1959), Her breakthrough role was as the daughter of Sellers' character in '' I'm All Right Jack'' (1959), for which she received a BAFTA nomination as Most Promising Newcomer. She was in several of the early ''Carry On'' films: ''

Carry On Regardless ''Carry On Regardless'' is a 1961 British comedy film, the fifth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). The film revolves loosely around the activities of a job agency, 'Helping Hands', run by Sid James's character, Bert Hand ...

'' (1961), ''

Carry On Cruising ''Carry On Cruising'' is a 1962 British comedy film, the sixth in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). It was based on an original story by Eric Barker. P&O – Orient Lines were thanked in the credits. Regulars Sid James, K ...

'' (1962), and '' Carry On Cabby'' (1963), but was sacked by producer Peter Rogers after casually saying the series could be better marketed. She re-appeared in the series in '' Carry On Behind'' (1975), her salary apparently half of what it had been before. Her other film appearances include ''

Desert Mice ''Desert Mice'' is a 1959 British comedy film featuring Alfred Marks, Sid James, Dora Bryan, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier and Liz Fraser. A group of ENSA entertainers with the British army in the North Africa desert during the Second World W ...

'' (1959), '' Two-Way Stretch'' (1960), again with Sellers, '' The Bulldog Breed'' (1960), '' Double Bunk'' (1961) '' Raising the Wind'' (1961), '' On the Fiddle'' (1961), '' The Painted Smile'' (1962), ''

The Americanization of Emily ''The Americanization of Emily'' is a 1964 British-American black-and-white romantic black comedy war film written by Paddy Chayefsky, produced by Martin Ransohoff, directed by Arthur Hiller and starring James Garner, Julie Andrews, Melvyn Dougl ...

'' (1964), '' The Family Way'' (1966), '' Up the Junction'' (1968), ''

Dad's Army ''Dad's Army'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom about the United Kingdom's Home Guard (United Kingdom), Home Guard during the World War II, Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (TV producer), David Crof ...

'' (1971), and a string of sex comedies: '' Adventures of a Taxi Driver'' (1976), '' Confessions of a Driving Instructor'' (1976), '' Adventures of a Private Eye'' (1977), '' Confessions from a Holiday Camp'' (1977) and ''

Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse ''Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse'' is a 1978 British comedy film directed by Justin Cartwright and starring Debbie Ash, Carolyne Argyle, Beryl Reid and John Le Mesurier. It is based on a novel by Christopher Wood (writer), Christopher Wood. The pl ...

'' (1978). Fraser was also known for her many appearances in British television series, including ''

Hancock's Half Hour ''Hancock's Half Hour'' was a BBC radio comedy, and later television comedy series, broadcast from 1954 to 1961 and written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The series starred Tony Hancock, with Sidney James; the radio version also co-starred, ...

'', and the ''

Avengers Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to: Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes **Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...

'' episode "The Girl from Auntie" where she guest starred opposite ''Carry On'' regular

Bernard Cribbins Bernard Joseph Cribbins (29 December 1928 – 27 July 2022) was an English actor and singer whose career spanned over seven decades. During the 1960s, Cribbins became known in the UK for his successful novelty records "The Hole in the Groun ...

. As Elizabeth Fraser, over a period of nearly six months, she appeared in numerous editions of the

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...

Sixpenny Corner ''Sixpenny Corner'' was the UK's first daily TV soap opera, broadcast by ITV from September 1955 until June 1956. The programme was created by Jonquil Antony and Hazel Adair; the latter later co-created '' Crossroads''. The 15-minute episodes ce ...

'' (1955–56). She appeared on

Benny Hill Alfred Hawthorne "Benny" Hill (21 January 1924 – 20 April 1992) was an English comedian, actor, singer and writer. He is remembered for his television programme ''The Benny Hill Show'', an amalgam of slapstick, burlesque and double ente ...

's late-1950s TV shows, and in a single sketch in the 23 December 1970 episode of his Thames TV series. This episode was in black and white (owing to the " Colour Strike" by ITV technicians, who wanted to be paid extra for working with the then-new colour TV technology), and hence the sketch was not included in any of the half-hour syndicated episodes of ''

The Benny Hill Show ''The Benny Hill Show'' is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill that aired on the BBC and ITV (from 1969) between 15 January 1955 and 1 May 1989. The show consisted mainly of sketches that were full of slapstick, mime, paro ...

''. However, it is included in the Volume 1 box set of the complete ''Benny Hill Show'', issued by A&E and Fremantle. Fraser also starred as Gloria Simpkins in the radio sitcom '' Parsley Sidings'' alongside

Arthur Lowe Arthur Lowe (22 September 1915 – 15 April 1982) was an English actor. His acting career spanned 36 years, including starring roles in numerous theatre and television productions. He played Captain Mainwaring in the British sitcom ''Dad' ...

and Kenneth Connor from 1971 to 1973. She played Mrs Brent, the mother of a missing girl, in the television production of

Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictiona ...

's ''Nemesis'', starring

Joan Hickson Joan Bogle Hickson, OBE (5 August 1906 – 17 October 1998) was an English actress of theatre, film and television. She was known for her role as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in the television series ''Miss Marple''. She also narrated a number ...

as Miss Marple, in 1987. Another role was in the "Backtrack" episode of the British police series '' The Professionals'', as Margery Harper, a glamorous woman who fenced stolen property in her shop. Her other television work included '' Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'', ''

Crown Court The Crown Court is the court of first instance of England and Wales responsible for hearing all indictable offences, some either way offences and appeals lied to it by the magistrates' courts. It is one of three Senior Courts of England and Wale ...

'', '' Citizen James'', '' Robin's Nest'', ''

Rumpole of the Bailey ''Rumpole of the Bailey'' is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It starred Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, a middle-aged London barrister who defended a broad variety of clients, oft ...

'', ''

Last of the Summer Wine ''Last of the Summer Wine'' is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke and originally broadcast by the BBC from 1973 to 2010. It premiered as an episode of ''Comedy Playhouse'' on 4 January 1973, and the first series of episodes fo ...

'', ''

The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused on ...

'', '' Foyle's War'', ''

Birds of a Feather ''Birds of a Feather'' is a British sitcom originally broadcast on BBC One from 16 October 1989 to 24 December 1998, then revived on ITV from 2 January 2014 to 24 December 2020. The series stars Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, with Lesley Jos ...

'', '' Minder'' and ''

Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama '' Casualty'', and ...

''.

Personal life and death

Fraser married Peter Yonwin, a travelling salesman, in November 1958, but the marriage soon broke down and they were divorced. She married her second husband, Bill Hitchcock, a TV director, in January 1965 at Harrow Register Office. They agreed not to work together, but this changed in 1972 when she appeared in the

Rodney Bewes Rodney Bewes (27 November 1937 – 21 November 2017) was an English television actor and writer who portrayed Bob Ferris in the BBC television sitcom ''The Likely Lads'' (1964–66) and its colour sequel ''Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?'' ...

sitcom '' Albert!'', which Hitchcock co-directed, and again later in the same year, when she acted in ''Turnbull's Finest Half-Hour'', a comedy series starring Michael Bates and produced by Hitchcock. Hitchcock died from a

pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing ...

in February 1974, at the age of 45. Fraser was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978 and 1979, undergoing a lumpectomy the first time and having reconstructive surgery at the Marsden in 1979. Fraser had a half-brother, Philip, 11 years older, the son of her mother from a previous marriage. She supported various

charities A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a cha ...

and was a patron of the London Repertory Company. She was also an enthusiastic and talented poker and bridge player. She died on 6 September 2018 at

Royal Brompton Hospital Royal Brompton Hospital is the largest specialist heart and lung medical centre in the United Kingdom. It is managed by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. History Consumption in the 19th Century In the 19th century, consumption was a c ...

as a result of complications following an operation.

Filmography

Television appearances

* ''

'' (1955) – Julie Perkins * ''

'' (1956-1960) – Various characters * ''

The Grove Family ''The Grove Family'' was a British television series soap opera, generally regarded as the first of its kind broadcast in the UK, made and broadcast by the BBC Television Service from 1954 to 1957. The series concerned the life of the family of ...

'' (1956) * ''ITV Television Playhouse'': "Two Ducks on a Pond" (1957) - Beryl * ''

Dixon of Dock Green ''Dixon of Dock Green'' was a BBC police procedural television series about daily life at a fictional London police station, with the emphasis on petty crime, successfully controlled through common sense and human understanding. It ran from 19 ...

'' (1957) - Jeannie Richards * '' Shadow Squad'' (1957) - Gilda * '' The Army Game'' (1957) * '' Whack-O!'' (1957) - Matron * '' Educated Evans'' (1957) – W.R.A.C. Clerk * ''

'' (1958) - Maisie Perkins * ''Hotel Imperial'' (1958) * ''The Sky Larks'' (1958) - Rose * '' Educating Archie'' (1958) * ''Murder Bag'' (1958) * ''

'' (1958) - Lena * ''

No Hiding Place ''No Hiding Place'' is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967. It was the sequel to the series ''Murder Bag'' (1957–1958) ...

'' (1959) - Rose Glorie * '' Boyd Q.C.'' (1959) * ''

ITV Play of the Week ''Play of the Week'' is a 90-minute British television anthology series produced by a variety of companies including Granada Television, Associated-Rediffusion, ATV and Anglia Television. Synopsis From 1955 to 1967 approximately 500 episodes a ...

'' (1959) - Dora * '' The Vise'' (1959) - Betsy Linton * ''ITV Television Playhouse'': "Incident" (1960) - Mavis * ''Knight Errant Limited'' (1960) - Gloria MacLean * '' BBC Sunday-Night Play'' (1960) - Riggie * '' Citizen James'' (1960–1962) – Liz * ''

Probation Officer A probation and parole officer is an official appointed or sworn to investigate, report on, and supervise the conduct of convicted offenders on probation or those released from incarceration to community supervision such as parole. Most proba ...

'' (1962) - Lorna * ''

'' (1963) - Sheba * ''

Harry's Girls ''Harry's Girls'' is an American sitcom which aired on NBC from September 13, 1963 to January 3, 1964. The series stars Larry Blyden portraying Henry Burns, the leader of a vaudeville troupe consisting of three young women. The co-stars were Dawn ...

'' (1963) - Sally Witherspoon * ''

Fire Crackers ''Fire Crackers'' is a British television sitcom that aired from 29 August 1964 to 20 February 1965. Two series were produced, for a total of 13 episodes. The series was produced by Associated Television (ATV), and aired on ITV ITV or iTV may refe ...

'' (1964) - Mary Medway * ''

'' (1965) - Phyllis Nolan * ''It's Not Me: It's Them!'' (1965) - Mrs. Ember * ''

The Avengers Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to: Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes ** Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes o ...

'': "The Girl from AUNTIE" (1966) – Georgie Price-Jones * ''Seven Deadly Virtues'' (1967) - Agnes * ''Mickey Dunne'' (1967) – Maisie * '' Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'' (1969): "

It's Supposed to be Thicker than Water "It's Supposed to be Thicker than Water" is the twenty-second episode of the 1969 ITC British television series ''Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)'' starring Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre. The episode was first broadcast on 13 Februar ...

" – Fay Crackan * '' Here Come the Double Deckers!'' (1970) - Zizi Bagor * '' The Goodies'': "Caught in the Act" (1970) - Miss Heffer * ''

'' (1970) - Various Roles * ''BBC The World About Us - Under London Expedition'' (1971) - Herself * '' ITV Sunday Night Theatre'' (1972) - Countess Antonescu * '' Jason King'' (1972) - Claire * ''Crime of Passion'' (1972) - Denise * '' Dear Mother...Love Albert'' (1972) - Ann * ''Turnbull's Finest Half-Hour'' (1972) – Faye Bush * ''

'' (1973) - Lady Esham ('Murder Most Foul', episode) * ''Seven Faces of Woman'' (1977) - Delilah Brown * ''

'' (1978): "Rumpole and the Alternative Society" - Bobby Dogherty * '' Robin's Nest'' (1978): "The Happy Hen" - Vera * '' The Professionals'': "Backtrack" (1979) – Margery Harper * ''

Shroud for a Nightingale ''Shroud for a Nightingale'' is a 1971 detective novel written by PD James in her Adam Dalgliesh series. Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate the death of two student nurses at the hospital nursing sc ...

'' (1984) – Sister Mavis Gearing * '' Fairly Secret Army'' (1984–1986) – Doris Entwhistle * ''

Miss Marple Miss Marple is a fictional character in Agatha Christie's crime novels and short stories. Jane Marple lives in the village of St. Mary Mead and acts as an amateur consulting detective. Often characterized as an elderly spinster, she is one of ...

'': "Nemesis" (1987) – Mrs. Brent * '' Hardwicke House'' (1987) - Agnes * ''Rude Health'' (1988) - Mrs. Joy * ''

ScreenPlay ''ScreenPlay'' is a television drama anthology series broadcast on BBC2 between 9 July 1986 and 27 October 1993. Background After single-play anthology series went off the air, the BBC introduced several showcases for made-for-television, ...

'' (1988) - Mrs. Dewey * '' The Lady and the Highwayman'' (1988) - Flossie * ''

Capstick's Law ''Capstick's Law'' is a British television drama series that originally aired in 1989. Produced by Granada Television for the ITV network, it centred on a firm of solicitors in the 1950s. The period drama used Russell Harty's old house in the ...

'' (1989) - Florence Smith * ''

'': "Just Family" (1991) – Olive Stubbs * '' Minder'': "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Retiring" (1993) – Delilah * ''

Demob Demobilization or demobilisation (see spelling differences) is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and militar ...

'' (1993) - Edith * ''

'' (1994) - Grace Walsh * '' Wales Playhouse'' (1996) - Nel * ''Drover's Gold'' (1997) - Ma Whistler * ''Hold to Zero'' (2000) - Grace * ''

'' (2000) – Reggie Unsworth * ''Pickles: The Dog Who Won the World Cup'' (2006) - Ada * '' Doctors'' (2006) – Beryl Gifford * '' Foyle's War'' (2007) – Mollie Summersgill * ''

'' (2007) – Tabitha Blackstock * ''

Midsomer Murders ''Midsomer Murders'' is a British crime drama television series, adapted by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson from the novels in the '' Chief Inspector Barnaby'' book series (created by Caroline Graham), and broadcast on two channels of ...

'': "Till Death Do Us Part" (2018) – Marcia Jackson

References

Sources

* Simon Sheridan ''Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema'', Titan Books (2011, 4th edition);

External links

Liz Fraser
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

*
Official website of the Carry On films
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser, Liz 1930 births 2018 deaths People from Southwark Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London English film actresses English stage actresses English television actresses Actresses from London 20th-century English actresses 21st-century English actresses