William Frawley
Acting
- Born:
- 1887-02-25
- Died:
- 1966-03-03
- Place of birth:
- Burlington, Iowa, USA
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.
Known For
Filmography
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
The Lucy Show
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Safe at Home!
My Three Sons
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
The Gale Storm Show
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
The Dirty Look
Letter to Loretta
I Love Lucy: The Movie
This Is Your Life
Rancho Notorious
I Love Lucy
Rhubarb
The Lemon Drop Kid
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Pretty Baby
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Kill the Umpire
The Bob Hope Show
Blondie's Hero
East Side, West Side
The Lady Takes a Sailor
The Ed Wynn Show
Red Light
The Lone Wolf and His Lady
Home in San Antone
Chicken Every Sunday
The Girl from Manhattan
Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
The Babe Ruth Story
Good Sam
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
The Ed Sullivan Show
My Wild Irish Rose
Blondie's Anniversary
Monsieur Verdoux
Down to Earth
Mother Wore Tights
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
Miracle on 34th Street
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt
The Inner Circle
Rendezvous with Annie
The Virginian
Ziegfeld Follies
Lady on a Train
Hitchhike to Happiness
Flame of Barbary Coast
Lake Placid Serenade
The Fighting Seabees
Going My Way
Whistling in Brooklyn
Larceny with Music
We've Never Been Licked
Gentleman Jim
The Yankee Doodler