William Frawley was born in Burlington Iowa As a boy he sang at St Pauls 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 fiveyear 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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