Sheila Frazier
| Sheila Frazier | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Sheila Elaine Frazier November 13, 1948 New York City, New York, United States |
| Occupation | Actress, Model |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Spouse(s) | John Atchison (2008 - present) |
| Children | Derek McKeith (from previous marriage) |
Sheila Frazier (born November 13, 1948) is an American actress and producer, best known for her co-starring role in the film, Super Fly and she reprised the role in the sequel Super Fly T.N.T..
Sheila Elaine Frazier was born in New York City, New York to Dorothy Dennis and Eugene Cole Frazier. Growing up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, she attended P.S 97 before moving with her mother at the age of 10 to Englewood, New Jersey where she attended Liberty School. As a young girl she was a stutterer which contributed to her shyness. While in the sixth grade, a teacher purported to help overcome her stuttering by making an announcement to the class before Sheila's presentation: “I don’t want any laughter. Sheila’s a stutterer. I don’t want any laughter.” Frazier has said that it was the most painful thing she'd ever gone through, causing her more anxiety at the thought of speaking in public.
While living in Englewood, some of her neighbors included Clyde McPhatter, Van McCoy, The Isley Brothers, and Dolly and Jackie McLean. She went to Dwight Morrow High School, where her classmates included Margaret Travolta, actress and sister of John Travolta. After seeing Susan Hayward in the film, I'll Cry Tomorrow, Frazier was inspired to become an actress, and after graduating from high school in 1966 at the age of 17, Frazier moved to New York City, staying with her godmother. She found work as a secretary.
Riding home one day on the subway, Frazier was approached by a man who asked her if she had ever considered modeling. Feeling that he was legitimate, she followed up on the contact, doing photo sessions with his boss, Bert Andrews. She began to do runway modeling and print work but did not like the focus of attention on her. At some point she met Richard Roundtree who suggested she audition for the Negro Ensemble Company. Remembering Richard Roundtree's advice to focus on the part she was acting Frazier was amazed to find that she had overcome her stuttering. Five months later she auditioned for the film Super Fly, winning the role of Georgia, the lead actress. She went on to work in many film and television productions, including Three the Hard Way. In 1980 she hosted a community affairs show on KNXT-TV in Los Angeles. She worked as a story editor at Richard Pryor's Indigo Productions. Frazier resides in Los Angeles with her husband John Atchison. She has a son, music producer, Derek McKeith.
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