William Frawley

Known for ActingBorn 1887-02-25Died 1966-03-03Burlington, Iowa, USA

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.Read more

Movies & web series

I Love Lucy Christmas Special

Lake Placid Serenade

The Quarterback

Moonlight in Havana

Welcome Home

It's a Great Life

Moonlight and Pretzels

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

Night Work

I Love Lucy

Treat 'Em Rough

Those Were the Days!

Three Married Men

Ship Cafe

Should Husbands Be Watched?

I Love Lucy: The Movie

The Ed Wynn Show

Monsieur Verdoux

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

Joe Palooka in Winner Take All

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

Sons of the Legion

Touchdown, Army

Car 99

Miracle on 34th Street

The Lucy Show

St. Louis Blues

Ex-Champ

Here Is My Heart

Gentleman Jim

East Side, West Side

The Dirty Look

Blondie's Hero

The Bob Hope Show

Home in San Antone

Rendezvous with Annie

Hitchhike to Happiness

Roberta

Whistling in Brooklyn

Roxie Hart

Footsteps in the Dark

The Bride Came C.O.D.

Cracked Nuts

Gangs Of The City

Opened by Mistake

Grand Jury Secrets

Mad About Music