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Have you ever stopped to wonder?

Why did James Earle Fraser go by James Earle Fraser and not just James Fraser?

Was it to avoid confusion with Canadian gold miner and Novia Scotia assemblyman James Fraser (1843 - 1937)?


Comments

  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,289 ✭✭✭
    I can honestly say I have never stopped to wonder that, but now you have me curious.
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  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No, I have never stopped to wonder.

    But now that you ask, I think he went by his full name because he thought it made him sound more distinguished.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No but I have spent numerous hours pondering about why actor James Earl Jones didn't just go by James Jones imageimage

    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • DentuckDentuck Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭
    LOL.

    Maybe it was an "artistic" styling. Same goes for Bela Lyon Pratt.

    I've queried Fred Reed, who's an expert on JAF and Laura Gardin Fraser.


  • BustHalfBrianBustHalfBrian Posts: 4,190 ✭✭✭✭
    He wanted to sound like a serial killer? image Beats me! But your theory would make sense image
    Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist based in SoCal.
  • Never really contemplated it!
    All the best,

    Rob

    image

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  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I must confess, it never occurred to me....image Cheers, RickO
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,885 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Probably stuck when his wife overheard his mother yelling JAMES EARL FRASER get your butt in here, now!

    It stuck,

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For the same reason many former Mormon Prophets used there first name initial, there full middle name along with, of course, their complete last name.

    J. Fielding Smith, for example.

    peacockcoins

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No, never wondered about it. Still don't. Maybe he had brothers named James Fraser.
    Lance.
  • fiveNdimefiveNdime Posts: 1,088 ✭✭


    << <i>No but I have spent numerous hours pondering about why actor James Earl Jones didn't just go by James Jones imageimage

    image >>


    he doesn't like kool aid.
    would you want to be know as Jim Jones?
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  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>No but I have spent numerous hours pondering about why actor James Earl Jones didn't just go by James Jones imageimage

    image >>


    he doesn't like kool aid.
    would you want to be know as Jim Jones? >>



    imageimageimage
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • WestySteveWestySteve Posts: 567 ✭✭✭
    Maybe to differentiate himself from his father?
  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ya know, now that you mention it, I was at a red light at Topanga and Ventura Blvd.
    about a year ago and that thought did occur and I was about to solve it but the
    light turned green and the lady behind honked and I wentimage

    Steve
    Promote the Hobby
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>No, never wondered about it. Still don't. Maybe he had brothers named James Fraser.
    Lance. >>



    You mean like Hi, I'm Larry and this my brother Darrel and this is my other brother Darrel?
    theknowitalltroll;
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Why did James Earle Fraser go by James Earle Fraser and not just James Fraser?

    Was it to avoid confusion with Canadian gold miner and Novia Scotia assemblyman James Fraser (1843 - 1937)? >>



    Maybe he was just conceited. Never stopped to wonder it as I can usually walk and wonder at the same time.image
    theknowitalltroll;
  • cucamongacoincucamongacoin Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭
    Perhaps an atistic conceit of the times? Edgar Rice Burroughs, Percy Keese Fitzhugh, etc.
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  • WestySteveWestySteve Posts: 567 ✭✭✭
    Because "Smokin' Joe" was already taken?
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,072 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>No but I have spent numerous hours pondering about why actor James Earl Jones didn't just go by James Jones imageimage

    image >>


    he doesn't like kool aid.
    would you want to be know as Jim Jones? >>

    no jim jones university and the temple of doom. naw, never crossed my mind. image
  • StaircoinsStaircoins Posts: 2,577 ✭✭✭
    Perhaps they all should have kept things simple, as George Foreman did with his sons George, George, George, George and George.


    image
  • ambro51ambro51 Posts: 13,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A different more formal time and a dignified gentleman. Also, like the OPs thought, to avoid confusion with another.
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,826 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Never--Don't care why either. Maybe an ego trip or just plain vanity.

    How about JFK? or John Fitzgerald Kennedy? or Jack Kennedy?, or John F. Kennedy?, but never just- John Kennedy?
    image

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