William Frawley
Known For: Acting
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: February 25, 1887
Day of Death: March 3, 1966 (79 years old)
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.
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Actor Roscoe
One Night in the Tropics
Actor Mr. Westlake
Rhythm on the River
Actor Emory Balzar
Golden Gloves
Actor Mac
Dancing on a Dime
Actor Prisoner
Those Were the Days!
Actor Scoop Trimble
The Farmer's Daughter
Actor Les Woodbury
Untamed
Actor Coach
The Quarterback
Actor Police Chief J. A. O'Hara
Sandy Gets Her Man
Actor Matt Kingsley
Opened by Mistake
1939
Actor Harry Long
Rose of Washington Square
Actor The 'Duke'
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Actor Bright Eyes
Grand Jury Secrets
Actor Joe Haller
Stop, Look and Love
Actor Inspector J.L. Weber
Ambush
Actor Alec Inglis
Persons in Hiding
Actor Major Martingale
St. Louis Blues
Actor Bruiser Brown
Night Work
Actor Mushy Harrington
Ex-Champ
