[[Image:Robert_Frazer_c.1920s.jpg|thumb|upright|Robert Frazer in a film still, c. 1920s]]
Robert Frazer (born Robert William Frazer; June 29, 1891 – August 17, 1944) was an American film actor who appeared in over 200 films during his career, primarily from the silent film era through the early 1940s. Known for his versatility, he played romantic leads, villains, and character roles across various genres, becoming a prolific presence in Hollywood.
Early Life
Robert William Frazer was born on June 29, 1891, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Details about his early life and education are not widely documented, but he entered the burgeoning film industry in the early 1910s.Career
Frazer began his acting career in 1912, quickly establishing himself as a prolific performer in the silent film era. He often took on leading roles as romantic interests in dramas and melodramas. Among his notable early works were The Girl Without a Soul (1917) and Alias Jimmy Valentine (1920). He also had an uncredited role in Erich von Stroheim's acclaimed film Blind Husbands (1919).As the film industry transitioned from silent films to sound, Frazer's career adapted. While he continued to work extensively, his roles often shifted towards supporting characters. He frequently portrayed professionals, authority figures, or villains in B-movies, Westerns, and popular film serials. He became a familiar face in adventure serials of the 1930s and early 1940s, including his role as Professor Gordon in Flash Gordon (1936) and in The Clutching Hand (1936). Frazer continued acting regularly until his death in 1944.
Personal Life
Frazer was married to Mildred Frazer. He died on August 17, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 53.Selected Filmography
Frazer's extensive filmography includes, but is not limited to:- The Girl Without a Soul (1917) as William Holden
- Blind Husbands (1919) as The Doctor (uncredited)
- Alias Jimmy Valentine (1920) as Jimmy Valentine
- The Call of the Canyon (1923) as Glenn Kilbourne
- The Scarlet Letter (1925) as Arthur Dimmesdale
- The Midnight Watch (1927) as Inspector J.L. Gordon
- The Clutching Hand (1936, serial) as Dr. Paul Gironda
- Flash Gordon (1936, serial) as Professor Gordon
- The Shadow (1940, serial) as Mr. X
- Jungle Girl (1941, serial) as Dr. John Meredith
- Adventures of Smilin' Jack (1943, serial) as Dr. Herbert Jamison