Dan Frazer Dies Aged 90
Veteran film and television actor Dan Frazer, best known for his role as Captain Frank McNeil on the 1970s hit television police drama series "Kojak," has died in New York at the age of 90.
Frazer's daughter, Susanna Frazer, said Sunday her father died of cardiac arrest Dec. 16 at his home in Manhattan, according to The Associated Press. She described him as a "very truthful, naturalistic actor."
He played Captain McNeil during all five seasons of the cop show, where Telly Salvalas played lead character Lieutenant Theo Kojak, which ran from 1973 to 1978.
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Frazer started playing character roles in various television series and films in the 1950s.
The more notable films that Frazer made during his career in the entertainment industry include; "Cleopatra Jones," "Take the Money and Run," "Gideon's Trumpet," and "Deconstructing Harry."
Frazer was also a main stay on major television sitcoms. Other than his role on "Kojak," Frazer's television appearances include: "Car 54, Where Are You," "Route 66," "Barney Miller," and "Law & Order."
He also had roles in “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Untouchables,” “McHale's Navy,” and “My Favorite Martian.”
The actor made his big-screen debut in 1963 in the Sidney Poitier film “Lilies of the Field” and appeared in two early Woody Allen comedies “Take the Money and Run” and “Bananas.”
After the initial run of Kojak, Frazer reprised his role as Captain McNeil in the 1983 TV film “Kojak: The Belarus File.”
In recent years Frazer had brief appearing roles on all three programs in the “Law & Order” franchise.
He was a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and an adviser to The Workshop Theater Company.
His last role came in the movie “The Pack” alongside “Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss, an independent film that was shown in a number of cinema screens this year.
