William Frawley
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Frawley is said to have put himself in contention for the role of Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy" by telephoning Lucille Ball and saying "Red. I hear you gotta TV series coming on. You got a part for me?"
A rabid New York Yankees baseball fan, Frawley had written into his "I Love Lucy" contract that he did not have work during The World Series if the Yankees were playing. Considering the 1950s New York Yankees were in eight of the 10 series during the decade, this did cause Desilu a few problems and Frawley does not appear in two "I Love Lucy" episodes due to this clause.
Biography
Former vaudevillian William Frawley is known worldwide as Fred Mertz, the skinflint landlord and friend of the Ricardos, on the perpetually repeated classic TV sitcom "I Love Lucy" (CBS, 1951-1956). This was but one in a long line of gruff character roles, many of whom displayed a hidden soft side, that he played in more than 150 Hollywood films from 1931-1962.
The Iowa-born Frawley began his career in the heyday of vaudeville as a comic and singer. According to lore, he reportedly was the first performer to warble the now-American classic (and gag punchline) "Melancholy Baby." Although he made an isolated appearance in a 1916 silent ("Lord Loveland Discovers America"), Frawley remained a stage player until the 1930s. Already middle-aged when Hollywood beckoned, he immediately became a regular face in character roles in both A-list and B pictures at practically every studio. He was particularly memorable as The Duke opposite Mickey Rooney as "Huckleberry Finn" (1939), and the cigar chomping politico who tells the judge to let this Kris Kringle thing slide in "Miracle on 34th Street." Besides 180 episodes of "I Love Lucy" and 10 more one-hour shows, Frawley appeared in numerous anthology episodes during the 50s. In 1960, he joined the cast of "My Three Sons" as "Bub," uncle to three motherless boys and in charge of daily operations in the household. He departed the series in ill health in 1965, and died in 1966.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1916
Appeared in isolated silent film, "Lord Loveland Discovers America"
1931
Arrived in Hollywood, appeared in "Surrender"
1939
Played The Duke in remake of "Huckleberry Finn"
1947
Had memorable role in "Miracle on 34th Street"
1950
First TV series as regular, "The First Hundred Years"
1962
Made final feature film, "Safe at Home"
1965
Made last appearance with Lucille Ball on episode of "The Lucy Show"
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Frawley is said to have put himself in contention for the role of Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy" by telephoning Lucille Ball and saying "Red. I hear you gotta TV series coming on. You got a part for me?"
A rabid New York Yankees baseball fan, Frawley had written into his "I Love Lucy" contract that he did not have work during The World Series if the Yankees were playing. Considering the 1950s New York Yankees were in eight of the 10 series during the decade, this did cause Desilu a few problems and Frawley does not appear in two "I Love Lucy" episodes due to this clause.
Some say it was because of his drinking, but Frawley did not drive. Luckily, he lived in the El Royale apartments on Rossmore, in walking distance of all three locations where "I Love Lucy" was filmed during its run. Frawley's favorite watering hole was Nickodell's restaurant and bar, which was only a few yards away from the Paramount main gate.
Frawley was always happiest when he could sing on an "I Love Lucy" episode. Although Vivian Vance had also been a singer in musical comedy, Frawley insisted she could not carry a tune. It was one of the off-stage elements of friction between Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mertz.
