The world of television mourns the loss of a true innovator, Woody Fraser, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 90. Fraser's daughter, Stacy, confirmed his passing to Variety, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and friends whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable career.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, whose Fox News show Fraser produced, remembered him on X as a "TV pioneer" and "legend," acknowledging Fraser's mentorship and his creation of numerous television programs over seven decades.
Producer Woody Fraser paying tribute to Mike Douglas at the 34th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards in 2007. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Longtime collaborator E.V. Di Massa Jr. also shared his grief and admiration on Facebook, calling Fraser a "producing genius" and reminiscing about their shared experiences, including accepting the Mike Douglas Lifetime Award at the Emmys.
Fraser's impact on television is undeniable. He garnered numerous Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his contributions to iconic shows like "The Mike Douglas Show," "The Richard Simmons Show," "The Dick Cavett Show," "What Would You Do?" "The Family Challenge," and, most notably, "Good Morning America."
In 1982, he and his wife, Noreen Fraser, who passed away in 2017, won an Emmy for "The Richard Simmons Show." He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in shaping "Good Morning America" into the morning mainstay it is today, having served as its first executive producer.
Woody, Madeline, and Noreen Fraser at a breast cancer awareness event in Los Angeles in 2015. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Stella & Dot)
Fraser's five-decade Hollywood career began in 1960 as a director for NBC. That same year, he partnered with Mike Douglas to create "The Mike Douglas Show," a talk show that achieved remarkable longevity and success. From 1966 to 1973, Fraser managed an unprecedented 32.5 hours of weekly programming, a feat unmatched at the time.
Later in his career, he helmed CNBC's "McEnroe" and Fox News' "Huckabee." Fraser leaves behind a legacy of innovation and a profound influence on the television landscape. He is survived by eight children and three grandchildren. His family plans to release further details regarding his passing at a later time.
