Phyllis Fraser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phyllis Fraser
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Fraser in 1999
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| Born |
Helen Brown Nichols
April 13, 1916 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | November 24, 2006 (aged 90) New York City, U.S.
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| Other names | Phyllis Cerf Wagner |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Robert F. Wagner Jr.
(m. 1975; died 1991) |
| Children | 2; including Christopher Cerf |
| Relatives | Ginger Rogers (cousin) Vinton Hayworth (uncle) |
Phyllis Cerf Wagner (born Helen Brown Nichols; April 13, 1916 – November 24, 2006), also known as Phyllis Fraser, was an American socialite, writer, publisher, and actress. She helped create Beginner Books, which publishes books for young children.
Early Life
Phyllis Fraser was born Helen Brown Nichols. This happened on April 13, 1916, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her mother was Verda Virginia Clendenin. Phyllis had famous relatives. Her cousin was the actress Ginger Rogers. Her uncle was radio actor Vinton Hayworth.
Not long after she was born, her mother moved. They went to Oklahoma City. Phyllis lived there until she was 16 years old.
Hollywood Career
When Phyllis was 16, she moved to California. She lived with her aunt Lela and cousin Virginia. Virginia later became the famous actress Ginger Rogers. Ginger helped Helen choose a new professional name: Phyllis Fraser. She also introduced her to the Hollywood movie scene.
Between 1932 and 1939, Phyllis Fraser appeared in several movies. She was in Winds of the Wasteland (1936) with John Wayne. She also acted in Little Men (1934). In 1932, she had a small part in the RKO film Thirteen Women. This part was later removed from the movie.
Life in New York
In 1939, Phyllis left Hollywood. She moved to New York City. There, she started a career in advertising. She worked at McCann Erickson. Soon after arriving, she met Bennett Cerf. He was a big name in publishing. He had co-founded Random House. They got married on September 17, 1940.
Phyllis and Bennett had two sons. Their son Christopher Cerf became an author and composer. He wrote many songs for Sesame Street. Their other son, Jonathan Cerf, wrote Big Bird's Red Book. He also became a world champion in the board game Othello.
Phyllis Fraser wrote a children's book called The ABC and Counting Book. She also helped start Beginner Books. This is a special part of Random House for young children. She co-founded it with Dr. Seuss (whose real name was Ted Geisel) and his wife Helen Palmer Geisel.
After Bennett Cerf passed away in 1971, Phyllis married again. On January 30, 1975, she married Robert F. Wagner, Jr.. He was a former mayor of New York City. They were married until Wagner died in 1991.
Later Years and Death
Phyllis Fraser lived for many years in a five-floor townhouse in New York City. She lived there with both of her husbands.
Phyllis Fraser died on November 24, 2006. She was 90 years old. Her death in New York was due to problems from a fall.
