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William Frawley

Acting Born Feb 25, 1887 Burlington, Iowa, USA 24 credits

Biography

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.

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Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self

My Three Sons

as Bub O'Casey
Film

Fantastic Mr. Fox

as Self

Full filmography

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Lucy Show (1962) as Trainer
  • My Three Sons (1960) as Bub O'Casey
  • I Love Lucy (1951) as Fred Mertz
  • The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
  • The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
  • This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
  • The Gale Storm Show (1956) as Jim Comstock
  • The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Fred Mertz
  • Letter to Loretta (1953) as Sam
  • Miracle on 34th Street (1947) as Charlie Halloran
  • The Ed Wynn Show (1949) as Self
  • Going My Way (1944) as Max Dolan, Publisher (uncredited)
  • Desire (1936) as Mr. Gibson
  • Monsieur Verdoux (1947) as Jean La Salle
  • Rancho Notorious (1952) as Baldy Gunder
  • Ziegfeld Follies (1945) as Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
  • The Virginian (1946) as Honey Wiggen
  • The Fighting Seabees (1944) as Eddie Powers
  • Gentleman Jim (1942) as Billy Delaney
  • Roxie Hart (1942) as O'Malley
  • Roberta (1935) as Bartender (uncredited)
  • Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951) as Det. Roberts