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William Frawley

1887-02-25

The 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 in

Movies

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Miracle on 34th Street

7.4 average rating
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Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Invisible Man

6.408 average rating
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Monsieur Verdoux

7.713 average rating
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Going My Way

6.7 average rating
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Rancho Notorious

6.471 average rating
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

6.5 average rating
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Gentleman Jim

7.2 average rating
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The Babe Ruth Story

5.8 average rating
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Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

6.7 average rating
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Ziegfeld Follies

6.1 average rating
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I Love Lucy: The Movie

7.1 average rating
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Roberta

7 average rating
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Pretty Baby

6 average rating
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Flame of Barbary Coast

5.6 average rating
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The Lemon Drop Kid

6.9 average rating
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One Night in the Tropics

5.6 average rating
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I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

5 average rating
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Three Married Men

0 average rating
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Good Sam

6 average rating
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Lady on a Train

6.5 average rating