William Frawley
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.
Acting
Movie
Miracle on 34th Street
as Charlie Halloran
1947
Movie
Monsieur Verdoux
as Jean La Salle
1947
TV
I Love Lucy
as Fred Mertz
1951
Movie
Going My Way
as Max Dolan, Publisher (uncredited)
1944
Movie
Rancho Notorious
as Baldy Gunder
1952
Movie
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Det. Roberts
1951
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
Movie
Gentleman Jim
as Billy Delaney
1942
Movie
Ziegfeld Follies
as Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
1945
Movie
Lady on a Train
as Desk Sgt. Brennan
1945
Movie
The Fighting Seabees
as Eddie Powers
1944
Movie
Desire
as Mr. Gibson
1936
TV
The Lucy Show
as Trainer
1962
Movie
Roberta
as Bartender (uncredited)
1935
Movie
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
as Byers
1950
TV
My Three Sons
as Bub O'Casey
1960
Movie
The Bride Came C.O.D.
as Sheriff McGee
1941
Movie
The Lemon Drop Kid
as Gloomy Willie
1951
Movie
Down to Earth
as Police Lieutenant
1947
Movie
Roxie Hart
as O'Malley
1942
Movie
East Side, West Side
as Bill the Bartender
1949
Movie
Red Light
as Hotel Night Clerk
1949
Movie
The Virginian
as Honey Wiggen
1946
TV
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948