Person
William Frawley
Burlington, 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…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2016
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Movie Fred Mertz
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2000
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV show Self
-
1962
The Lucy Show
TV show Trainer
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1962
Safe at Home!
Movie Bill Turner
-
1960
My Three Sons
TV show Bub O'Casey
-
1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV show
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1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TV show Fred Mertz
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1956
The Gale Storm Show
TV show Jim Comstock
-
1956
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
Movie Fred Mertz
-
1954
The Dirty Look
Movie
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1953
Letter to Loretta
TV show Sam
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1953
I Love Lucy: The Movie
Movie Fred Mertz / Self
-
1952
This Is Your Life
TV show Self
-
1952
Rancho Notorious
Movie Baldy Gunder
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1951
I Love Lucy
TV show Fred Mertz
More credits
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1951
Rhubarb
Movie Len Sickles
-
1951
The Lemon Drop Kid
Movie Gloomy Willie
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1951
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Movie Det. Roberts
-
1950
Pretty Baby
Movie Corcoran
-
1950
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Movie Byers
-
1950
Kill the Umpire
Movie Jimmy O'Brien
-
1950
The Bob Hope Show
TV show Self
-
1950
Blondie's Hero
Movie Marty Greer
-
1949
East Side, West Side
Movie Bill the Bartender
-
1949
The Lady Takes a Sailor
Movie Oliver Harker
-
1949
The Ed Wynn Show
TV show Self
-
1949
Red Light
Movie Hotel Night Clerk
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1949
The Lone Wolf and His Lady
Movie Inspector Crane
-
1949
Home in San Antone
Movie O'Fleery
-
1949
Chicken Every Sunday
Movie George Kirby
-
1948
The Girl from Manhattan
Movie Mr. Bernouti
-
1948
Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
Movie Knobby Walsh
-
1948
The Babe Ruth Story
Movie Jack Dunn
-
1948
Good Sam
Movie Tom
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1948
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Movie Agent
-
1948
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV show Self
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1947
My Wild Irish Rose
Movie William Scanlon
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1947
Blondie's Anniversary
Movie Sharkey the Loen Shark
-
1947
Monsieur Verdoux
Movie Jean La Salle
