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Ron O’Neal’s co-star Sheila Frazier reflects on star’s death; Superfly phenomenon

by  Kam Williams

Sheila Frazier, a virtually unknown talent, catapulted to superstardom upon the release of the 70’s Blaxploitation classic, Superfly. Frazier’s "Georgia", was best known as the irresistible love interest of Superfly himself, actor Ron O'Neal. She rode the Blaxploitation wave by appearing in the Superfly sequel, as well as Three the Hard Way and The Super Cops.

NOTE:  Only days after I conducted the interview with Frazier, she contacted me to give me the news that Ron O’Neal had passed away. Said Frazier, "Ron O'Neal died last night. My heart is so heavy I can barely handle it. Thirty-two years connected by our movies created a bond that will always exist."

Where in NYC did you grow up?
I was born in the Bronx and lived on the Lower East side in the projects, before moving to Englewood, New Jersey.

When did you know you wanted to be an actress?
I always wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl. What stood in my way was a strong speech impediment. I stuttered so badly that there was no way I could stand in front of someone and do anything except chew my tongue and struggle to speak before too many of my classmates started laughing. So, I quietly dreamed of acting. Watching people on stage held a great fascination for me. I envied their ability to speak without stuttering. My sentences were painfully difficult to get out.

So how did you overcome it?
It wasn’t until Richard Roundtree [of “Shaft” fame] convinced me to study acting at the Negro Ensemble Company. It was then that I discovered I could stand behind a character and speak words with great fluidity. That was an amazing discovery for me. I thank God for directing my life towards acting and I thank Richard for his encouragement. What was so funny was when the movie was released, no one who knew me believed that it was my voice. Isn’t God good?"

What a blessing! So, was that the start of your training?
I had been studying acting at HB Studios in New York under Bill Hickey, then at The Negro Ensemble Company under Gil Moses and under Dick Anthony Williams at the New Federal Theatre. Superfly came after studying at the Negro Ensemble Company for five months.

So, Superfly was your first film?
Superfly’ was my first feature film, but I had done a few commercials and industrial films.

What was it like being in a major hit like “Superfly” and riding that first wave of African-Americans on the big screen?
Although we were not the first wave, I was amazed at the reaction from the public. For me, it was a shock; in fact, none of us could have imagined in our wildest dreams how big it was going to be. My entire life changed. I went from being a struggling actress who was a ‘nobody ,’ to a struggling actress everyone recognized. I had been with the Negro Ensemble Company for only a few months when Richard Roundtree helped me get an audition with Gordon Parks, Jr. Richard had already done Shaft and was huge, particularly in the black community. After doing Superfly, I couldn’t walk down the street without people pointing to me, whispering or saying how much the movie influenced everything from their wardrobe to their hairstyle to their love life. To this day, I am still amazed at its longevity and how it's become such a cult film. Even funnier is how much people still recognize me as Superfly’s woman.

Were you ready for the sudden stardom that came from Superfly?
No, I was not particularly ready. I walked around in a daze most of the time. I couldn’t understand what the big deal was and why magazines wanted to talk to me. They were describing me as a 'beautiful, good actress.' But I really could not understand or see why they called me this great beauty. I never saw myself like that. As I look back at some of my photographs from that time, I realize that I looked pretty good.

How do you feel about the film today? Do you feel that it has stood the test of time?
I look at Superfly today and thank God that it has bridged my relationships with over three decades of young people. The film was a movie that depicted a lifestyle with honesty. It was a film that reflected a sickness within our communities, which is drugs. That hasn’t changed. Today the drug issue is just as bad, if not worse, in our inner cities as it was then. The unfortunate payoff has been HIV/AIDS at epidemic proportion. Yes, Superfly has stood the test of time. My only hope is that people get the real message of the film.

What was that message?
The star ‘Priest‘ and his lady ‘Georgia‘ [Sheila’s character] were trying to get out of their situation--not glorify it.

What did you think of Undercover Brother, a retro comedy that reminded me of Superfly?
I thought it was a funny spoof. I liked the idea that his character was a cross between Austin Powers, 007 and the films of the 70s.

Do you feel that ‘gangsta rap’ has been influenced by the dress and attitude of the Blaxploitation era?
Absolutely! Snoop is a prime example. We’ve talked about his love for the movies from the 70s. If you look at his hair and clothes, he’s straight out of that era. Gangsta rap has also called attention to the still existing social issue. What hurts me is that in Superfly, as a black woman, it was important to show her elegance, class and style. The character of Priest both respected and valued her. Our young music makers need to understand that their self-esteem is directly connected to how they treat their women. Also I hope the women realize that they have to set the standard of treatment and the men will follow. If they set it high, they'll attract men who deal on that level and, of course the opposite is true.

What was it like making both Superfly movies with Ron O'Neal?
It was great. Ron was such a brilliant actor. I learned a great deal from him. He was also a wonderful human being. He will always be someone I love and admire for his talent and personal character. 

Which of your movies was the most fun to make and which is still the most fun to watch?
California Suite  with Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor was the most fun to make. Being on the set with those two geniuses was quite an experience. Bill Cosby was a dream to work with. Superfly is the most fun to watch. I still enjoy hearing Ron’s character say at the end of the film, “…and you better not harm one hair on this gorgeous head.” It was great for our audience to see a black man thinking of himself in those terms and walking away from a life of hustling drugs. He was determined not to allow the system that was in place dictate his future. He chose the high road. That’s what I hope we all do.

What have you been up to since Superfly?
I made several movies after Superfly had a television series with Louis Gossett, Jr. on ABC, hosted a show on a CBS affiliate in Los Angeles, and made a bunch of guest star appearances before stepping behind the scenes in the early 80s. I was hired as a story editor for Richard Pryor’s company. When things began to slow down, I started my own company, Sheila Frazier & Associates, which was a public relations company. We did okay, but I missed entertainment. So, after being the West Coast producer for Essence, (TV show)  Black Entertainment Television (BET) hired me as part of their producing team for their first entertainment talk show. I stayed with BET for almost 13 years as a producer and later as head of their talent department. About a year before leaving BET in April 2003, I started Frazier MultiMedia Group, a television, talent acquisition, and special events company, which also trains and coaches people for television and public appearances.

I see you make periodic appearances on TV shows. Any plans to be on another show soon?
I wouldn’t mind doing some acting again. In fact I have done a couple of things recently. Because I understand this wonderful business is just that, 'a business', I’ve learned that when one area dries up, learn how to do something else that will keep you in the game. And never take any of this too seriously. The entertainment business has so many facets to it. You’d be surprised what else you could do if you don’t attach a false sense of ego to your career. Otherwise, you will have a few jobs in the business, but it will never turn into a career.

Are you still based in Hollywood?
Yes I am still living in Los Angeles.

Do you have a family?
Yes I have a son, Derek McKeith from a previous marriage. Talk about talent! I’m really proud of Derek. He’s a music performer, writer and producer. He has a band with a unique sound. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to see him perform I can only think, 'Wow, he’s better than I could have ever been.' It seems that his audiences think so, too.

What advice do you have for girls wanting to follow in your footsteps?
My advice to young girls who would like to follow in my footsteps would be to set a standard for yourselves, spiritually first, and then morally. Place a high value on who you are. Study every aspect of this business so that they don’t pigeonhole you. Keep learning and growing. Be a lady at all times.

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