Emmy Award-winning composer Ian Fraser has died from cancer aged 81.
With 11 Emmys and 32 nominations, Fraser was the most honoured composer/conductor in the history of US television, up to his death on Friday.
He also picked up an Oscar nomination for his 1970 Scrooge score, and Fraser led the Academy Awards orchestra at the 1984 Oscars. He also served as musical director for 1984, 1993 and 2002 Emmy Awards.
The British maestro struck up a long friendship and working relationship with actress and singer Julie Andrews after he became her vocal arranger for her early 1970s variety hour shows, and served as her musical director when the Mary Poppins star recorded a series of Christmas and Broadway albums.
Fraser also conducted Andrews' musical Victor/Victoria for the stage in the mid-1990s, and he composed and performed music for the accompanying CD of her 2003 children's book Simeon's Gift.
His stellar run of Emmys began in 1977, when Fraser was honoured for his musical direction of America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music. He was nominated again last year for the festive TV special Christmas in Washington.
The composer also collaborated with David Bowie and Bing Crosby on their 1977 holiday tune The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.
Fraser was married to actress Judee Morton, and their son Neal is the chef behind popular Los Angeles restaurants Grace and Vibiana.
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