William Frawley

About

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,...

Known for

I Love LucySeries • 1951My Three SonsSeries • 1960The Lucy ShowSeries • 1962Westinghouse Desilu PlayhouseSeries • 1958The Gale Storm ShowSeries • 1956Miracle on 34th StreetMovie • 1947Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible ManMovie • 1951Rancho NotoriousMovie • 1952Monsieur VerdouxMovie • 1947Gentleman JimMovie • 1942The Bride Came C.O.D.Movie • 1941Ziegfeld FolliesMovie • 1945Going My WayMovie • 1944Good SamMovie • 1948Roxie HartMovie • 1942DesireMovie • 1936Flame of Barbary CoastMovie • 1945The Lemon Drop KidMovie • 1951RobertaMovie • 1935The Fighting SeabeesMovie • 1944One Night in the TropicsMovie • 1940The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnMovie • 1939Lady on a TrainMovie • 1945Kiss Tomorrow GoodbyeMovie • 1950