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.
Known for
ActingBirthday
February 25, 1887Deathday
March 3, 1966Gender
MaleKnown Movie Credits
113Place of birth
Burlington, Iowa, USAAlso known as
Bill Frawley, William Clement Frawley
Cast credits
Blondie in Society
Waldo Pincus
Blondie's Anniversary
Sharkey the Loen Shark
Blondie's Hero
Marty Greer
Lady on a Train
Desk Sgt. Brennan
The Fighting Seabees
Eddie Powers
The Lemon Drop Kid
Gloomy Willie
Miracle on 34th Street
Charlie Halloran
Roberta
Bartender
The Princess Comes Across
Benton
Red Light
Hotel Night Clerk
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Det. Roberts
Flame of Barbary Coast
Wolf Wylie
Rancho Notorious
Baldy Gunder
Rhubarb
Len Sickles
One Night in the Tropics
Roscoe
The Babe Ruth Story
Jack Dunn
Gentleman Jim
Billy Delaney
Mad About Music
Dusty Turner
Rose of Washington Square
Harry Long
Footsteps in the Dark
Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
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