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