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