Biography
Bob Fraser was born in New York City just before the end of WWII. His father was a radio personality, and his mother was a nurse. After attending the University of Colorado, Bob started his acting career at The Little Theatre On The Square in Sullivan, Illinois. Bob made his New York debut in 1966 in the off-Broadway play "The March March." After five years in New York and roles in dozens of plays, Bob and his wife Bev Wiest purchased what would be the first of the four theaters they have owned and operated. They made the move to Los Angeles in 1976 and Bob started writing. His first writing job was for_ "Love Boat, The" (1977)_ in 1978.
In the long history of network television, only a handful of people have been multi-hyphenates ... writing, directing, producing and playing a role in the same series. Bob Fraser has done it twice. First was Benson (1979), starring Robert Guillaume, where for six years Fraser was show runner; he also portrayed the slimy Senator Leonard Tyler. The highlight for Bob was directing Academy Award winning actor George Kennedy in a special one-hour murder mystery episode they wrote together.
Bob later went on to create, star in, write and executive produce Marblehead Manor (1987) for Paramount and NBC co-starring Michael Richards.
Starting as an actor more than 50 years ago, Bob has scores of credits in theatre, film and television - including the role of Snoopy in the original Off-Broadway hit, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," as Michael in the New York premiere of "Lady Chatterly's Lover," as Big Jack in "The March March" and as one of the founders of The Fourth Wall. He's also been a magician, disk jockey, daytime television host and an early member of The Groundlings in LA.
Bob has been the writer and producer on many series including, Benson, Full House, The Love Boat, Harry & The Hendersons, Condo, Hard Knocks, Phyl & Mikhy and others.
As a director, he has guided Oscar, Emmy and Tony winning performers in both theatre and television - not to mention hiring a ton of actors in his role as a producer.
His acting career courses - You Must Act! - Nail It! - and Headshot Secrets Revealed, Action The Professional Actor's Workbook and Planner can be found on the web - and have been utilized by 1000's of actors in 60 countries all over the world.
His free newsletter for actors, Show Biz How-To can also be found on the web. He also has a blog about show business called The Show Biz Blog.
Bob's career is like that. He's owned theaters, had his own talk show, been a radio DJ, appeared in New York stage productions, and written scores of television and film scripts as well as more than a dozen plays.
Along the way, Bob and Bev have raised three children. The couple recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Bob's most recent project is a DVD acting career course, An Actor Works
