WF
William Frawley
Actor
Died March 3, 1966 (79 years)
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
| 1999 | Television: The First Fifty Years · as Fred Mertz |
| 1964 | My Living Doll (TV Series) · as Det. Gladwin |
| 1962 | Safe at Home! · as Bill Turner |
| 1962 | The Lucy Show (TV Series) · as Unknown |
| 1960 | My Three Sons (TV Series) · as Bub O'Casey |
| 1956 | Lucy's Really Lost Moments · as Fred Mertz |
| 1956 | The Gale Storm Show (TV Series) · as Jim Comstock |
| 1954 | Shower of Stars (TV Series) · as Gabby Mullins |
| 1953 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) · as Sam |
| 1952 | Rancho Notorious · as Baldy Gunder |
| 1951 | The Lemon Drop Kid · as Gloomy Willie |
| 1951 | Rhubarb · as Len Sickles |
| 1951 | The Red Skelton Show (TV Series) · as Mr. Thomas |
| 1951 | I Love Lucy (TV Series) · as Fred Mertz |
| 1951 | Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man · as Det. Roberts |
| 1950 | Blondie's Hero · as Marty Greer |
| 1950 | Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye · as Byers |
| 1950 | Pretty Baby · as Corcoran |
| 1950 | The Bigelow Theatre (TV Series) · as Pinto |
| 1949 | East Side, West Side · as Bill the Bartender |
| 1949 | The Lady Takes a Sailor · as Oliver Harker |
| 1948 | The Babe Ruth Story · as Jack Dunn |
| 1948 | Good Sam · as Tom |
| 1948 | Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven · as Agent |
| 1947 | Miracle on 34th Street · as Charlie Halloran |
| 1947 | Monsieur Verdoux · as Jean La Salle |
| 1947 | Down to Earth · as Police Lieutenant |
| 1946 | The Inner Circle · as Det. Lt. Webb |
| 1946 | The Virginian · as Honey Wiggen |
| 1945 | Flame of Barbary Coast · as Wolf Wylie |
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies · as Martin (segment A Sweepstakes Ticket) |
| 1944 | Going My Way · as Max Dolan - the Publisher (uncredited) |
| 1944 | The Fighting Seabees · as Eddie Powers |
| 1943 | Whistling in Brooklyn · as Detective Ramsey |
| 1942 | Gentleman Jim · as Billy Delaney |
| 1942 | Roxie Hart · as O'Malley |
| 1942 | Wildcat · as Oliver Westbrook |
| 1941 | Blondie in Society · as Waldo Pincus |
| 1941 | The Bride Came C.O.D. · as Sheriff McGee |
| 1940 | Rhythm on the River · as Mr. Westlake |
| 1940 | Those Were the Days! · as Prisoner |
| 1940 | The Quarterback · as Coach |
| 1939 | The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn · as The 'Duke' |
| 1939 | St. Louis Blues · as Major Martingale |
| 1937 | Something to Sing About · as Hank Mayers |
| 1936 | The General Died at Dawn · as Brighton |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink · as Mr. Copple |
| 1936 | Desire · as Mr. Gibson |
| 1935 | Roberta · as Bartender |
| 1935 | Harmony Lane · as Edwin P. 'Ed' Christy |
| 1935 | It's a Great Life · as Lt. McNulty |