William Frawley
Known For
Acting
Born
1887-02-25 in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Died
1966-03-03
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.
Most Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
I Love Lucy
as Fred Mertz
The Lucy Show
as Trainer
My Three Sons
as Bub O'Casey
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
The Bob Hope Show
as Self
This Is Your Life
as Self
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
Miracle on 34th Street
as Charlie Halloran
The Gale Storm Show
as Jim Comstock
Touchdown, Army
as Jack Heffernan
Good Sam
as Tom
Desire
as Mr. Gibson
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
as Fred Mertz
Roxie Hart
as O'Malley
Letter to Loretta
as Sam
College Scandal
as Chief of Police Magoun
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
as Jim Mason
Monsieur Verdoux
as Jean La Salle
The Ed Wynn Show
as Self