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