Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Ann Fraser Lorentzen

1939 - 2022

BORN

1939

DIED

2022

About

New Trier High School Northwestern University

Ann Lorentzen Obituary

Ann Fraser Lorentzen
February 26, 1939 - December 28, 2022
Ann Fraser Lorentzen passed away peacefully on December 28th, 2022 in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Born February 26th, 1939 in Evanston, Illinois, she was bit by the performing bug as a child when she entered a talent show on a cruise to Hawaii with her family. She performed in the Lagniappe show at New Trier High School, and attended Northwestern University, where she performed in the Waa-Muu show and also traveled to Korea with the USO to entertain American troops. After graduating from Northwestern, she moved to New York to begin her theater career, including roles in Sail Away, Oklahoma, and Brigadoon; she was in a command performance of Brigadoon at the White House for President John F. Kennedy organized by Jackie Kennedy to honor the King and Queen of Morocco.
After some time away from the stage, during which she married Ted and had a daughter, Jennifer, Ann moved to Chicago and began doing freelance work, which included everything from live demonstrations of how to fold fiberglass to performing as the first Egg McMuffin. She also started her talk show career filling in as co-host on the popular morning show Kennedy and Co. She was hired by KPIX-TV in San Francisco and for fourteen years in her signature large frame glasses she and Ross McGowan co-hosted People Are Talking and People Are Talking in the Afternoon. They informed and entertained Bay Area residents, including live broadcasts from Napa State Hospital, San Quentin Prison, a nudist colony, and the AIDS ward at San Francisco General Hospital. Later she joined KPIX News doing interest pieces, was a regular on morning talk radio, and lent her voice to the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas.
She retired in 2000 with her then-husband Ron to grow roses, play golf, and enjoy the beauty of Sonoma County. She couldn't completely give up performing, though, and appeared in both A Rodgers and Hammerstein Revue and Love Letters at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg. She also served as a trustee for the Hanna Boys Center (now Hanna Center) for fifteen years. In 2015 she moved to Oregon to be closer to her daughter and settled in a senior living community where she continued to be the life of the party. She is preceded by her parents, Harry and Madolyn, her brother Robert, and her former husbands Ted and Ron. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Jason) and her nieces Bonnie and Stacey (Joe).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hanna Center in Sonoma, California; Oatfield Estates in Milwaukie, Oregon; or the Alzheimer's Association. A celebration of her life will be scheduled for the fall.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann Lorentzen

26 Entries

August 14, 2024

A true pioneer in the talk show game who had a genuine interest and amazing presence! You are missed

Zoe Stein

August 27, 2023

I had the good fortune to be recommended to PAT to be their intern. I thought that I died and went to TV heaven. Actually I did! I laughed, cried, worked the Green Room, assisted on all the shows and managed to become PA and even produced some shows. Ann was my teacher,
hero, guide, confidant and everything else. She was talented beyond compare. She was our Supah´ Star and her light still guides me. I changed my name from Alice Rosenzweig to Zoe Stein. Her life still inspires me. May her memory be a blessing.

Mollie Holloman Marshall

August 22, 2023

Our families were friends in Winnetka and I was fortunate so see Ann in performances at New Trier. Many years later, my Dad came to visit me in SF and I got tickets to People Are Talking. Ann recognized my Dad and totally made his dayl Ann was always so full of life, and had such a contagious smile. RIP Ann!

Donald McPhail

August 22, 2023

Ann was a lively, energetic, inspiring person, and a generous member of the Board of Trustees at Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma. Within a week after she joined us, she and husband Ron had created and distributed a professional marketing video to illustrate the good work that Hanna was doing -- including upbeat images of Hanna's boys and their teachers. She never slowed down, and was a smart, respected, productive part of Hanna for nearly 20 years. She elevated our work, and made it fun and more effective. Thanks to Ann for her friendship, her kindness and her generosity. We miss her very much. Don & Gretchen McPhail, Mountain View

Les Keeney

August 21, 2023

I´m saddened to hear of Ann´s passing.
Ann had an inherent joy that she spread to others.
I was part of the crew that followed her when she returned to her Guernewood Park property after it was flooded. Even in the midst of a personal disaster, she kept her positive side up.
Ann was truly one of the highlights of my life.

Hal Grant

August 21, 2023

Great memories with the whole PAT family...Ann will be missed by us all.

Stephenie Hendricks

August 21, 2023

We had some great TV adventures together!

Hal Grant

August 21, 2023

I was honored to be the director for People Are Talking. It was my first big break as a television director. How lucky I was.
Ann Fraser was a remarkable interviewer and a delightful host. Her chemistry with Ross McGowan was magical. Ann was such a great talent and such a good friend. Her memory will be a blessing for the many who knew her and loved her.

Mitch Kim

August 21, 2023

Ann was always upbeat and professional. It was a pleasure to work with her.

Jeanne Hartlaub

August 21, 2023

Sincere condolences to the family of Ann. We were neighbors and volunteered with her at the "grumble" at Healdsburg Elementary. She was a very classy lady and fun to be with.

Jeanne & Phil Hartlaub

Wendy Hanamura

August 21, 2023

Ann Fraser was such a wonderful host, inspiration and mentor to me. My first job in television was as the production assistant on PEOPLE ARE TALKING -- I still have the mug to prove it! I learned so much from Ann and Ross and that show. They helped me grow up and expand my horizons. I smile everytime I think of Ann.

Kit Lynch

August 21, 2023

My condolences to Ann's family, and dear friends.

Not only did Ann work with Ross McGowan, on "People Are Talking." She, also, hosted a Saturday morning talk-show on KGO "Newstalk" Radio. Her close friend, Joannie Greggains, hosted a program that preceded Ann's. I was their producer.

Saturday mornings, at a station that is primarily devoted to news, can be rather low-key. But, NOT with Ann and Joannie in the building!

Studios, hallways and offices were filled with energy and laughter. And, the programs were up-beat, with callers attracted to the positive vibe.

Just as Ann lit up radio and television, in the Bay Area, I'm sure she lit up the lives of everyone loved, and entertained.

What a lovely legacy, to leave so positive a memory. And, what a joy to have known her.

Kit Lynch
San Francisco

John Kelly McClure

August 21, 2023

Sweet woman Ann! Ann and Ross hosted our annual MAME AWARDS for the California Association of Builders dinner in San Francisco. Both very delightful!

Pam Cook

August 21, 2023

I got to see Ann and Ross perform in Love Letters and it brought me to tears. They were incredible. So many people grew up watching them and have fond memories and respect for them for their time on People are Talking.

Janice Edwards

August 20, 2023

I had the pleasure of being a producer on "People are Talking in the Afternoon" and it was great working with Ann and Ross! Ann´s laughter was contagious and she was the consummate professional. She truly understood and loved show business and her star always shone brightly.

Beth Freeman

August 20, 2023

Ann was so wonderful! I had the pleasure of producing a few stories for her at PIX, and everywhere we went people flocked to her side. She was such a class act. I remember that she somehow scored tickets to Barbra Streisand's concert in San Jose and told a few of us that she'd cover our ticket costs, if necessary. It wasn't, but what a kind offer. She made me smile. I wish her family all the best at this time.

Kristen

August 20, 2023

Condolences to Ann´s family. I remember her having the most bubbly personality on the show. My friends and I skipped work back in the day to be in the People Are Talking audience. Bert Bertolero, the gardener, was on and I got to ask him a question about my ficus tree. I watched the show regularly and got great recipes from the fireman chef and tips on produce from another guy who were regulars on the show.

Maria

August 20, 2023

Condolensces to the family and friends and co-workers of Anne Fraser. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience of "people are talking" when I was 18. My best friend and I met Anne and Ross. They were so nice to all of us audience members. There was so much excitement for the segment on bodybuilding with an appearance by Arnold Schwartznegger and Jesse "the body "Ventura promoting a film. It included some bodybuilding Mr. California participants. Anne was a very charming and a fun host. She made us all laugh . Nice memories for local San Franciscans. We enjoyed her television work for many years. May she rest in peace and thanks for the memories . Maria

Carl Young

August 20, 2023

I also had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ann for many years at KPIX. She was a great co-worker and also a good friend and neighbor.
My heart-felt condolences to Jennifer and family.
RIP Ann

Christine Freeman

August 20, 2023

I loved Ann on People Are Talking, and can still remember her enthusiasm for whoever she was talking to and whatever she was doing. And her great voice! She gave viewers a lot of joy.

Dianne Fukami

August 19, 2023

Ann was always vivacious and full of energy and fun. Her sparkling personality and easy charm belied how hard she worked behind-the-scenes in the true old-fashioned show biz way. Condolences to her family.

Molly McCrea

August 19, 2023

Ann was an amazing co-worker and a lovely person. She lit up the room. We have always been proud that Ann was part of the KPIX Bay Area family and our history. Ann meant a lot to her friends, our viewing audience, and to all of her colleagues who had the good fortune to work with her. Condolences to her family.

Mike Hegedus

August 19, 2023

Sorry to see this, but thinking of Ann brings a smile to my face. Bright, witty, funny and a big part of what made the 80´s n SF TV the `golden age´.

Thad DeGroot

August 19, 2023

Ann was the bright spot in any room; never trying to be but, her honesty and interest was unparalleled.
I had the luck to enjoy her radiance during numerous business and social Bay Area events.
Ann, you were one of a kind and thank you for you!

Hank Plante

August 18, 2023

I was so honored to know Ann and to work with her. She and Ross were legendary in the Bay Area. She had an amazing work ethic and brought joy to every situation I saw her in, both on-the-air and off. My condolences to her family and to her many other friends.

Tonya Mattox

August 18, 2023

Growing up in the City back in the 70's and 80's my mother and I watched People are Talking with Ann and Ross faithfully at 10am. Ann was always full of life and personality such a beautiful person. RIP Ann.

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results