William Frawley
Actor
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.
Filmography
Monsieur Verdoux
as Jean La Salle 1947
Going My Way
as Max Dolan, Publisher (uncredited) 1944
Rancho Notorious
as Baldy Gunder 1952
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Det. Roberts 1951
Gentleman Jim
as Billy Delaney 1942
Ziegfeld Follies
as Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket") 1945
Lady on a Train
as Desk Sgt. Brennan 1945
The Fighting Seabees
as Eddie Powers 1944
Desire
as Mr. Gibson 1936
Roberta
as Bartender (uncredited) 1935
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
as Byers 1950
The Bride Came C.O.D.
as Sheriff McGee 1941
The Lemon Drop Kid
as Gloomy Willie 1951
Roxie Hart
as O'Malley 1942
Down to Earth
as Police Lieutenant 1947
East Side, West Side
as Bill the Bartender 1949