T. Fries, 47; TV Movie Producer

Thomas Ralph Fries, an editor and producer nominated for an Emmy for “Bitter Harvest” starring Ron Howard and Art Carney, has died at the age of 47.

Fries died Sept. 10 after a long cardiopulmonary illness.

Born to the business, he was the son of veteran executive producer Charles W. Fries and grew up to study at Cal Arts. During his student days, Fries began working in the editorial department of Columbia Pictures, reading scripts and novels for use by the film industry.

Fries specialized in movies for television and amassed an impressive list of editing credits over 25 years.

He edited two major miniseries early in his career: “The Word” in 1978 and “A Rumor of War” in 1980. His work in “Bitter Harvest” followed the next year.

Other editing credits included “Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story,” “Dempsey,” “Memorial Day,” “Woman on the Ledge,” “Touched By Evil,” “A Wing and a Prayer” and “I Know What You Did.”

He also edited a number of “Moment of Truth” television movies--”To Walk Again,” “A Secret Between Friends” and “Race Against Fear.”

As vice president for post production for his father’s Fries Entertainment, he supervised completion of pilots, series and miniseries including “The Martian Chronicles.” He later moved up to vice president of production.

Among the television movies Fries produced were “The Right of the People” and “Flowers in the Attic.”

Fries is survived by his wife, Debi; his mother, Carol Fries; his father and stepmother, Charles and Ava Fries; three daughters, Brooke, Hannah and Chloe; four brothers, Butch, Chris, Mike and Jon, and three sisters, Suzanne, Dyanne and Alice.

The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Motion Picture and Television Fund, 22212 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364.