William Frawley
Acting
Born: 1887-02-25 in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Biography
William Frawley was born in Burlington, Iowa. As a boy he sang at St. Paul's Catholic Church and played at the Burlington Opera House. His first job was as a stenographer for the Union Pacific Railroad. He did vaudeville with his brother Paul, then joined pianist Franz Rath in an act they took to San Francisco in 1910. Four years later he formed a light comedy act with his new wife Edna Louise Broedt, "Frawley and Louise", touring the Orpheum and Keith circuits until they divorced in 1927. He next moved to Broadway and then, in 1932, to Hollywood with Paramount. By 1951, when he contacted Lucille Ball about a part in her TV show I Love Lucy (1951), he had performed in over 100 films. His Fred Mertz role lasted until the show ended in 1960, after which he did a five-year stint on My Three Sons (1960). Poor health forced his retirement. He collapsed of a heart attack on March 3, 1966, aged 79, walking along Hollywood Boulevard after seeing a movie. He is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.
Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
I Love Lucy
Fred Mertz
The Lucy Show
Trainer
My Three Sons
Bub O'Casey
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
The Bob Hope Show
Self
This Is Your Life
Self
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
The Gale Storm Show
Jim Comstock
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Fred Mertz
Miracle on 34th Street
Charlie Halloran
Letter to Loretta
Sam
Desire
Mr. Gibson
Monsieur Verdoux
Jean La Salle
Good Sam
Tom
Roxie Hart
O'Malley
Going My Way
Max Dolan, Publisher (uncredited)
Rancho Notorious
Baldy Gunder
Gentleman Jim
Billy Delaney
The Fighting Seabees
Eddie Powers
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Det. Roberts
Ziegfeld Follies
Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
Touchdown, Army
Jack Heffernan
One Night in the Tropics
Roscoe
Down to Earth
Police Lieutenant
Flame of Barbary Coast
Wolf Wylie
The Virginian
Honey Wiggen
Double or Nothing
John Pederson
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Byers
Rhubarb
Len Sickles
Roberta
Bartender (uncredited)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The 'Duke'
Blondie's Hero
Marty Greer
Mother Wore Tights
Mr. Schneider
Footsteps in the Dark
Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins
The Bride Came C.O.D.
Sheriff McGee
Rose of Washington Square
Harry Long