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