Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Sex symbol, Carry On23 star... & comedy great
Liz Fraser 1930 – 2018
TRIBUTES poured in last night for Carry On star Liz Fraser, who has died at the age of 88.
Director Michael Armstrong called her “one of the greatest comedic actresses of her era”.
Liz, perfectly cast as a buxom blonde in the tongue-in-cheek films of the 60s and 70s, went on to carve out a formidable reputation on screen.
Aaron Brown, editor of the British Comedy Guide, said: “Liz played the dolly bird support to leading men... but shone in her own regard and brought laughter to millions.”
Her breakthrough came in 1959 hit I’m All Right Jack as Cynthia, daughter of shop steward Fred Kite, played by comic genius Peter Sellers.
But she nearly wasn’t chosen after director John Boulting took a dislike to her during her audition.
She said later: “He couldn’t be bothered because it was lunchtime but he said ‘Have make-up do something with her and I’ll see her after lunch.’
SWEATER
“They put me in a different bra and a very tight sweater with a tight belt, long wig and eyelashes. I got the part.”
Sellers repeatedly tried to seduce her but she went on to play his girlfriend in Two-way Stretch.
Liz said: “He wined and dined me at his penthouse and another time locked me in his dressing room.
“He had treated a girlfriend of mine badly, so I didn’t quite go there.”
It was her role as Cynthia which made her a sex symbol.
This lead to a string of Carry On films, including Carry On Regardless (1961), Carry On Cruising (1962) and Carry On Cabby (1963).
Dropped for criticising the way the films were marketed, she returned 12 years later in Carry on Behind, reportedly for half her old salary.
Other films included The Bulldog Breed, The Family Way and Dad’s Army. In the 1970s, there were roles in comedies including Confessions from A Holiday Camp.
Telly shows included Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Benny Hill and Jason King. Liz, born Elizabeth Joan Winch, grew up in South London.
She first married salesman Peter Yonwin then director Bill Hitchcock, who died in 1974. She had no children. The actress died in London after an operation.