William Frawley
Born February 25, 1887 (Age: 139)
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Burlington, Iowa, USA
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.
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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Filmography
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Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
2000
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as Self (archive footage)
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Age: 113
Ziegfeld Follies
1945
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as Martin (segment "A Sweepstakes Ticket")
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Age: 58
Gentleman Jim
1942
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as Billy Delaney
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Age: 55
The Yankee Doodler
1942
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as
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Age: 55
Moonlight in Havana
1942
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as Barney Crane
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Age: 55
Wildcat
1942
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as Oliver Westbrook
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Age: 55
Give Out, Sisters
1942
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as Harrison
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Age: 55
It Happened in Flatbush
1942
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as Sam Sloan
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Age: 55
Roxie Hart
1942
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as O'Malley
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Age: 54
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Treat 'Em Rough
1942
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as 'Hotfoot'
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Age: 54
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Gangs Of The City
1941
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as Bang
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Age: 54
Blondie in Society
1941
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as Waldo Pincus
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Age: 54
The Bride Came C.O.D.
1941
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as Sheriff McGee
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Age: 54
Cracked Nuts
1941
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as James Mitchell
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Age: 54
Footsteps in the Dark
1941
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as Det. 'Hoppy' Hopkins
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Age: 54
Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
1941
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as Chauncey Beheegan
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Age: 53