Known For
Acting
Born
Feb 25, 1887
Died
Mar 03, 1966
Place of Birth
Burlington, Iowa, USA
Credits
127 titles
William Frawley
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
Filmography
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Fred Mertz
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
Self (archive footage)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
The Lucy Show
Trainer
Safe at Home!
Bill Turner
My Three Sons
Bub O'Casey
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Fred Mertz
The Gale Storm Show
Jim Comstock
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
Fred Mertz
The Dirty Look
Letter to Loretta
Sam
I Love Lucy: The Movie
Fred Mertz / Self
This Is Your Life
Self
Rancho Notorious
Baldy Gunder
I Love Lucy
Fred Mertz
Rhubarb
Len Sickles
The Lemon Drop Kid
Gloomy Willie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Det. Roberts
Pretty Baby
Corcoran
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Byers
Kill the Umpire
Jimmy O'Brien
The Bob Hope Show
Self
Blondie's Hero
Marty Greer
East Side, West Side
Bill the Bartender
The Lady Takes a Sailor
Oliver Harker
The Ed Wynn Show
Self
Red Light
Hotel Night Clerk
The Lone Wolf and His Lady
Inspector Crane
Home in San Antone
O'Fleery
Chicken Every Sunday
George Kirby
The Girl from Manhattan
Mr. Bernouti
Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
Knobby Walsh
The Babe Ruth Story
Jack Dunn
Good Sam
Tom
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Agent
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
My Wild Irish Rose
William Scanlon
Blondie's Anniversary
Sharkey the Loen Shark
Monsieur Verdoux
Jean La Salle
Down to Earth
Police Lieutenant
Mother Wore Tights
Mr. Schneider
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
Jim Mason
Miracle on 34th Street
Charlie Halloran
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt
Police Inspector Harry B. Manning
The Inner Circle
Det. Lt. Webb
Rendezvous with Annie
General Trent
The Virginian
Honey Wiggen
Ziegfeld Follies
Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
Lady on a Train
Desk Sgt. Brennan