William Frawley
Acting
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.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Det. Roberts
Age 64 (now 79)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
as The 'Duke'
Age 51 (now 79)
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
as Fred Mertz
Age 129 (now 79)Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
as Self (archive footage)
Age 113 (now 79)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
as Det. Roberts
Age 64 (now 79)
Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
as Knobby Walsh
Age 61 (now 79)
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt
as Police Inspector Harry B. Manning
Age 59 (now 79)
Ziegfeld Follies
as Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
Age 58 (now 79)
Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
as Chauncey Beheegan
Age 53 (now 79)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
as The 'Duke'
Age 51 (now 79)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
Age 75 (now 79)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Bill Frawley, William Clement Frawley
IMDB
nm0292433