Elisabeth Fraser, an actress who started on Broadway in 1940 and later appeared in films and TV for many years, died May 5, 2005, in California, Variety reported. Ms. Fraser, a Brooklyn native, was 85 and died of congestive heart failure. She appeared as Sadie, a friend of Shelley Winters' character in the film "A Patch of Blue," and as Sgt. Bilko's girlfriend in TV's "The Phil Silvers Show."

Internet Movie Database bills her type this way: "Peroxide blonde, plump-cheeked character actress who played brassy dames of questionable morals in '40s and '50s films."

Variety reported Ms. Fraser landed her first Broadway role six weeks after graduating high school. She appeared in There Shall Be No Night with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. The play won the 1940-41 Pulitzer Prize. She soon got a Hollywood contract with Warner Bros.

According to Internet Broadway Database, Ms. Fraser's Broadway credits include Great Day in the Morning (1962), The Tunnel of Love (1957), Mr. Adam (1949), Winged Victory (1943) and The Russian People (1942).

She also appeared in the films "All My Sons" (1948), "Death of a Salesman" (1951) and "The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942), among other pictures.

She appeared in TV programs from the Golden Age of television ("Four Star Playhouse" and "Kraft Theater") into the 1970s ("Maude").

Variety reported a collection of her showbiz memorabilia is on display at the Library of Performing Arts in the Lincoln Center.

A memorial service will be held 1 PM May 20 in the Louis B. Mayer Theater at the Motion Picture & Television Fund, 23388 Mulholland Dr., Woodland Hills, CA.