Constable Benton Fraser

AGE:
Born in 1960/61 since he was 34 as of the episode The Blue Line (1995).

HEIGHT:
Approximately 5'11", just a tad shorter than Ray Vecchio.

WEIGHT:
Unknown, but fluctuates occasionally

HAIR:
Dark brown; short

EYES:
Blue

YEARS ON FORCE (RCMP):
Possibly entered the RCMP in 1981 as he had 15 years of service as of Spring 1996.

SUPERIOR:
Not much is known of his superiors during his time in Canada, except that he reported to Sgt. Meers before coming to Chicago. For the first year in Chicago, it was Inspector Moffat, who was then promoted and left. Inspector Margaret Thatcher then came to the Consulate. At first she disliked him, but now finds herself attracted to him.

PERSONAL PROFILE:
Fraser at first seems to be a stereotype of the cartoon character Dudley Do-Right: a Mountie who helps people across the street, rescues kittens out of trees, and holds doors open for strangers, but he is much more than that. Raised to be courteous and to obey the law, he brings his own brand of justice to the streets of Chicago, much to the surprise of all those around him.

In third season, there have been some noticeable changes to his character. For example, during the first two seasons, it seemed unfathomable that Fraser would indulge in humor at someone else's expenses (perhaps except for the 'electrocution' scene in We are the Eggmen). However, in third season he is not above leaving post-hypnotic suggestions in his colleagues.

His name is pronounced 'Fray-zer' but everybody calls him 'Fray-sure' (as in the NBC sitcom Frasier.) People from the old days up in Canada tend to call him Ben. Ray calls him Fraser most of the time, otherwise he calls him Benny. Ray has not called him Ben or Benton. MacKenzie King gave him the nickname of Bento.)

FAMILY:
In the Pilot movie, Fraser said he had no family left (although this has changed in the seasons since). He is not married, nor has he been, and has no children.

Father: (Sgt. Robert Fraser)

A veteran of the RCMP, Robert Fraser was a legend in his own time. He was a determined Mountie and a role model; he would pursue criminals anywhere through any kind of mess. He believed in the letter of the law and, ultimately, this led to his own demise.

Mother: (Caroline Pinsent Fraser)

We know very little about her except that she was about as tall as Fraser's father (6' or so), and died when Fraser was six years old.

Robert Fraser won her heart (although she was leaning that way already) when he shot the 'deviant' who was holding her hostage. Buck Frobisher missed on his shot, but later confessed it had been intentional as he knew Caroline loved Robert.

She went wherever her husband was transferred, although nearly went batty when Fraser Sr. was posted at "The Rat," which had a marvelous view of a strip mine. After that they went to Ft. Nelson, where the names nearly drove her 'around the bend.' But she remained with her husband and produced their only son, Benton, who was conceived in an igloo and born in a barn.

Although Fraser was young when she died, he does have vivid memories of her: he told his father's ghost that he'd seen her being petty, angry, brave, frightened, but this only seemed to reaffirm his respect for his mother.

Her manner of death is addressed in the series finale episode, Call of the Wild.

Grandparents:

They're Robert Fraser's parents. In a third season episode it was divulged their names were George and Martha. No mention has been made of Caroline Pinsent's parents. All grandparents on both sides are deceased. Grandma Fraser came back as a ghost to pester Fraser Sr.'s ghost in Letting Go but Fraser was unable to see her.

At age 19, Fraser's grandmother was a schoolteacher in the Yukon or NWT. She was badly burned in a fire that swept through the village, yet her courage saved the lives of numerous children.

His grandmother was a practical woman. She gave Fraser books as birthday presents, much to his dismay. The first book (given to Fraser when he was a mere child) was fed to a passing walrus, but evidently her love of books was passed on to Fraser.

Books were also her job. She and her husband were librarians who opened up an English library in China before the Revolution. They lived in Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, and Alert (as far as we know) and took their library with them.

At one point they lived in Yathkyet Flats where there was a 'surfeit of spare time' so Grandfather raised chickens, with apparently humorous results.

They raised Fraser for much of his life, as Robert Fraser spent a good deal of time away from home.

As no horrid memories have been mentioned by Fraser, we can assume they passed away of old age/natural causes.

Uncle Tiberius:

Everybody's got a skeleton in the closet. This is the Fraser skeleton. Tiberius died wrapped in cabbage leaves, which Fraser Sr.'s ghost said was what they assumed was a "freak accident." It is believed that Uncle Tiberius is from the Fraser side of the family, not the Pinsent side. Whatever, Fraser should never mention him on any job applications!

Aunt Whinney:

Perhaps wife to Uncle Tiberius, although that is just a guess. She was mentioned in the third season episode Bounty Hunter.

Uncle Purvis:

Presumed deceased. It's unknown which side of the family Purvis falls on, but he taught Fraser the essentials of escape maneuvers, but Fraser said he could never manage dislocating joints (which seems odd, as he seemed to have done that to his shoulder in Hawk and a Handsaw).

Cousins Douglas and Dwayne:

In a third season episode (Bounty Hunter), Fraser Sr., upon hearing that his son is not in any great hurry to have grandchildren, thought that perhaps these cousins could give him some 'grandkids.' However, this information is contradictory to Fraser having stated in the Pilot that he has no family remaining.

Maggie MacKenzie:

Fraser's half sister by his father. She is also a Mountie and came to Chicago on the trail of the men who killed her husband in the fourth season episode "Hunting Season." Maggie's mother never told Bob Fraser that he had a daughter, so he is surprised when Maggie can see him as he is pestering Benton. She is very strong-willed and stubborn.

LOVE LIFE:

• Victoria Metcalf was an accomplice to a botched bank robbery which left one man dead. Fraser tracked her down, fell in love with her during a blizzard, but obeyed the law and turned her in. After she was released from prison, she came back into his life a decade later to exact revenge. She did a good job: she shot Dief, framed Ray and Fraser, and ultimately led to Fraser being shot. She escaped and is still at large. (And yes, Metcalf has no 'e' at the end; this was confirmed via the actual script.)

• Currently is in love (we believe) with his superior, Inspector Margaret (Meg) Thatcher. They have yet to truly admit to each other their feelings. In fact, current third season episodes allude that perhaps this relationship might be at an end; Fraser is contemplating adoption. However, in the third season episode Bounty Hunter, Fraser felt a remarkable draw to Janet Moore (the easiest explanation is that they could be 'soul mates'). However, she left town to get back to her own life with her children, and he to his own as well.

• Has attracted the feelings of Elaine Besbriss, Francesca Vecchio, Tammy Markles, Katherine Burns, Mackenzie King, Julie Frobisher, to name a few!

FRIENDS:

Diefenbaker is a good friend, but at this point in time Ray Vecchio is his closest and truest friend. He appears to have made friends with Stanley Kowalski as well.

Other friends we have seen are Sgt. Duncan "Buck" Frobisher and his daughter Julie (Manhunt), and hockey player Mark Smithbauer (The Blue Line), whom he had not seen in decades. Another friend (of his and Mark's) was Henry Duckett, who is currently in jail for real estate fraud. We saw his friend (perhaps a family friend?) Eric in Mask and he appeared to know Eric's family quite well. We have heard no mention of friends from Fraser's time at the Depot or while on the job. A strong influence in his life had been Quinn (Easy Money), who taught him many of the skills he utilizes as an adult (such as tracking).

RELIGION:

No religious beliefs have ever been mentioned, but he is not Catholic (confirmed by DS staff member). He has sought solace with Father Behan (Victoria's Secret) and knew a Reverand as a child (One Good Man).

HOME:

Fraser was raised in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. He has lived in Inuvik, Alert, and Tuktoyaktuk, to name but a few places, as it was said in Vault that he has moved around a lot.

CURRENT ADDRESS:

During his first two years in Chicago, he lived in apartment 3J at 221 West Racine, Chicago. It was in a bad section of town (Ray would refer to it as a slum). He paid a monthly rent of around $375. Unfortunately in the third season opener Burning Down the House, his apartment building fell vicitm to a 'performance arsonist'. He is currently residing in very cramped quarters now: his office! At one point he was seen searching for a new residence. (Spy vs. Spy)

INJURIES:

1. Shot: in right arm with shotgun spray (Pilot); in back by Ray (Victoria's Secret); in right thigh by MacFadden(Bird in the Hand).
2. Stabbed: in right thigh by Geiger (Manhunt); sliced across hand by Jolly (Victoria's Secret).
3. Knocked out: fell into mine shaft, hit on head with rock, then with plank (three in a row) (Red, White or Blue); plane crash (North); drugged (Duel); punched out by Gabe (Red, White or Blue).
4. Beaten up: by baby seal killers (Pizza & Promises); Zuko's thugs (The Deal); Warfield's thugs (Good for the Soul).
5. Scarred by: dead otter whacked into right shoulder (The Deal); scar on right jaw (said it was tempered glass, but not from The Deal) (Letting Go); knife wound in the thigh from Geiger stabbing him (Manhunt).
6. Broken bones: Left femur twice (jumped off 57' cliff and ??) (Letting Go).
7. Suffered a stomped-on right hand in Easy Money, yet Quinn tended to his other hand. (continuity error?)
8. Other: Dehydration (North); possible (self-diagnosed) subdural hematoma (North); temporary paralysis of the lower extremities due to possible pinched nerve (North); temporary blindness (possibly due to pressure on optic nerve(?) (North); possible hypothermia in Prince Rupert Sound(Pilot); bitten on left wrist by Dief (Wild Bunch); various cuts and bruises after a beating (The Deal); hit in head with wine bottle (The Blue Line); cut forehead in wheelchair accident (Letting Go); hit across face with 2x4 (Bird in the Hand); fell off moving vehicle, conked head, and developed amnesia (Flashback).
9. Leapt out of second story window and landed the wrong way, wrenching his back. (Odds)

ATTIRE:

Wears red serge uniform most of time, followed by brown uniform. When in 'civvies', prefers blue plaid shirt, jeans, boots or sneakers. Likes to wear red longjohns to bed in winter; white t-shirt and starched(!) boxer shorts in hotter months.

LANGUAGES:

• Seen using American Sign Language. (The Blue Line)
• Chinese -- knows Cantonese & Mandarin; forgotten almost all of the Fuchow and Amoy-Swatow he was taught as a child. (Chinatown)
• French -- spoke it once; probably knows it as many RCMP officers are bilingual.
• Greek -- knows the meanings of words; may not be able to speak it though.
• Latin -- knows the meanings of words; may not be able to speak it though.
• Russian -- can read a little bit of it at least. (Call of the Wild)
• Spanish -- knows the meanings of words; may not be able to speak it though.
• Tsimshian -- speaks this Native language, but admits he is rusty. (Mask)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• The Canadian dictionary says that Mountie is spelled with a capital 'm'; it can be spelled with a small 'm', but the capitalized version is the preferred style. And unlike what CBS used in its first ads, it is not spelled 'Mounty.'
• Very well-mannered, polite. Holds doors open for people, etc.
• Has only sworn a few times when under great stress (i.e., confronting his father's killer) or when he had amnesia. (Pilot, Bird in the Hand)
• Has no problem leading a Spartan life, hence his barren apartment.
• Obeys the law; couldn't even steal Milk Duds (Witness). Very disciplined.
• Believes in a destiny of his own choosing.
• Was once fired by Thatcher for refusing to change his uniform; was reinstated. (Vault)
• Once arrested for murder (Jolly) which Victoria committed; seems to have been cleared. (Victoria's Secret)
• Marksman (has patch on uniform sleeve); exacting aim when throwing knife or Stetson or even an egg!
• Can drive (let's forget the fiasco of Witness!). Does not own a car, probably never has. Got around with dogsled up North. Jeep at father's cabin probably belonged to his father.
• Modest (doesn't like aggressive female attention; doesn't like to hog glory even though Ray thought he was doing just that in Red, White or Blue).
• When he was 16, he ran away due to some incident involving a boomerang, a can of gas and a gold mine. (Chicago Holiday, pt. 2)
• Met Diefenbaker 212 miles NW of Whitehorse; found him as stray pup in abandoned mine and took him in. (Red, White or Blue)
• Unlike every other TV hero, he does not seem to know karate/kung fu. Instead, he battles the bad guys with plain old fashion fists and feet.
• Does not carry a gun due to regulations; though has carried a knife in his boot (probably just below regulation size, too!).
• Displays excellent aim when throwing knives (Pilot, Seeing is Believing).
• When he wears his Stetson (hat), he seems invulnerable, yet when he loses it, he gets into trouble (hence the fan-derived nickname of the 'Stetson of Invulnerability').
• Appears to be ambidextrous in regards to task; as to writing, probably not.
• Will eat almost anything (he's not a vegetarian or anything like that, in other words). Seems to like french fries.
• Very, very knowledgeable about a wide variety of subjects; this drives Ray (or Stan) nuts sometimes.
• Knows semaphore. (Red, White or Blue)
• Doesn't drink or smoke.
• Mr. Mustasfi was a neighbor from whom Fraser borrows a lot of things, fixes them, then returns them. Other neighbors have included Mrs. Garcia, Mrs. Krezjapalov, Mr. Brewer (hockey fan), Grace (nice deaf lady), Mrs. Pumputis (who accused Dief of eating her dog (Wild Bunch)).
• Has habit of using windows and fire escapes instead of the front door. Very annoying to Ray (and Stan).
• Believes in the old-fashioned idea of chivalry.
• Read LOTS of books as a child.
• Likes cherry flavoured lozenges. (One Good Man)
• Never seems to get dirty, even when going through sewers (Promise). Ray accused him of being Scotchguarded at birth. He did get dirty (after ending up in a mud puddle) when tackling a criminal. (I Coulda Been a Defendent)
• By his own admission, not a risk-taker (at least not in his personal life, but has no qualms about running around on rooftops in pursuit of criminals, or standing in front of speeding cars, etc.)
• Puts up a Christmas tree and gives Dief a gift each year.
• Is an excellent boxer. (Diefenbaker's Day Off, Mountie & Soul)
• Knows how to play hockey and ice skate. (The Blue Line)
• Knows how to play baseball. (Doctor Longball)
• Fraser says he never bluffs. (Odds)
• Can sing. (Mountie on the Bounty, The Ladies Man, Mountie Sings the Blues)
• Was homesick at one point. (Call of the Wild)

For information on the actor who portrays this character, please see the Paul Gross page.