William Frawley
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 (127 titles)
10.0MovieI Love Lucy Christmas Special
Fred Mertz · 2016
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
Self (archive footage) · 2000
7.0ShowThe Lucy Show
Trainer · 1962
7.5ShowThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · 1962
5.0MovieSafe at Home!
Bill Turner · 1962
6.6ShowMy Three Sons
Bub O'Casey · 1960
6.3ShowWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
8.7ShowThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Fred Mertz · 1957
The Gale Storm Show
Jim Comstock · 1956
6.5MovieLucy's Really Lost Moments
Fred Mertz · 1956
7.0MovieThe Dirty Look
1954
6.6ShowLetter to Loretta
Sam · 1953
7.7MovieI Love Lucy: The Movie
Fred Mertz / Self · 1953
6.5ShowThis Is Your Life
Self · 1952
6.5MovieRancho Notorious
Baldy Gunder · 1952
7.9ShowI Love Lucy
Fred Mertz · 1951
5.8MovieRhubarb
Len Sickles · 1951
6.5MovieThe Lemon Drop Kid
Gloomy Willie · 1951
6.3MovieBud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Det. Roberts · 1951
6.8MoviePretty Baby
Corcoran · 1950
6.9MovieKiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Byers · 1950
6.9MovieKill the Umpire
Jimmy O'Brien · 1950
7.0ShowThe Bob Hope Show
Self · 1950
6.8MovieBlondie's Hero
Marty Greer · 1950
7.1MovieEast Side, West Side
Bill the Bartender · 1949
5.7MovieThe Lady Takes a Sailor
Oliver Harker · 1949
The Ed Wynn Show
Self · 1949
5.9MovieRed Light
Hotel Night Clerk · 1949
6.0MovieThe Lone Wolf and His Lady
Inspector Crane · 1949
7.0MovieHome in San Antone
O'Fleery · 1949