William Frawley
Acting
🎂 1887-02-25
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.
Cast credits(127)
Self
1962
Bub O'Casey
1960
Fred Mertz
1951
Trainer
1962
Self
1948
1958
Self
1950
Self
1952
Fred Mertz
1957
Charlie Halloran
1947
Sam
1953
Byers
1950
Chauncey Beheegan
1941
Police Lieutenant
1947
Baldy Gunder
1952
Max Dolan, Publisher (uncredited)
1944
Jack Dunn
1948
Bill the Bartender
1949
Jim Comstock
1956
Sandy Hill
1945
Jean La Salle
1947
Eddie Powers
1944
Det. Roberts
1951
Wolf Wylie
1945
Corcoran
1950
Mike Simms
1943
Mac
1933
Mac
1940
Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
1945
Roscoe
1940
Waldo Pincus
1941
Desk Sgt. Brennan
1945
Brighton
1936
Jimmy O'Brien
1950
Tom
1948
Fred Mertz
1953
Det. Lt. Webb
1946
Gloomy Willie
1951
Prisoner
1940
Billy Delaney
1942
Marty Greer
1950
Sunshine Joe
1935
Briney O'Brien
1935
Les Woodbury
1940
Self (archive footage)
2000
William Scanlon
1947
Honey Wiggen
1946
Oliver Westbrook
1942
The 'Duke'
1939
Fred Mertz
1956
Hotel Night Clerk
1949
Chief of Police Magoun
1935
Agent
1948
Bartender
1935
Alec Inglis
1939
Sharkey the Loen Shark
1947
Scoop Trimble
1940
Snoop Donlan
1938
Knobby Walsh
1948
Fred Mertz
2016
Cap
1935
Len Sickles
1951
Traveling Salesman
1943
Bang
1941
Jiggers
1944
Emory Balzar
1940
Jack Heffernan
1938
Mr. Bernouti
1948
Fraser
1934
Mr. Copple
1936
Bruiser Brown
1939
Oliver Harker
1949
Mr. Schneider
1947
Sam Sloan
1942
Lt. McNulty
1935
Captain Murphy
1934
Mr. Gibson
1936
James Mitchell
1941
Bill Mullins
1936
General Trent
1946
Detective Rogan
1936
Harry Long
1939
'Soapy' Moreland
1936
Jim Mason
1947
Mac
1937
Joe Haller
1939
Bill Turner
1962
Benton
1936
Mike DeBaere
1934
William Dunhill aka The Professor
1934
Sheriff McGee
1941
Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins
1941
Major Martingale
1939
O'Malley
1942
Matt Kingsley
1940
Self
1949
Inspector J.L. Weber
1939
'Hotfoot'
1942
Bright Eyes
1939
Dusty Turner
1938
Francis X. Rush
1937
Uncle Willie Lee
1938
Barney Crane
1942
Painless
1935
Coach
1940
Mr. Westlake
1940
Hank Mayers
1937
Detective Ramsey
1943
James Smith
1934
Inspector Crane
1949
Edwin P. 'Ed' Christy
1935
John Pederson
1937
Mushy Harrington
1939
Larry Hale
1934
Milton J. Bunsey
1933
Training Sgt. Barrel
1935
O'Fleery
1949
Police Inspector Harry B. Manning
1946
1954
Beat Cop
1925
Jury Foreman
1934
Harrison
1942
1935
George Kirby
1949
Police Chief J. A. O'Hara
1940
1942
'Hoak' salesman
1927