William Frawley

William Frawley was a vaudeville stage entertainer, film and television actor. Having played character roles in over one hundred films, the majority between 1933 and 1951, Frawley achieved greater fame playing landlord Fred Mertz in the landmark television sitcom I Love Lucy.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: William Clement Frawley
2. Born: February 26, 1887
3. Place of Birth: Burlington, Iowa
4. Died: March 3, 1966 in Hollywood, California as a result of a heart attack

I Love Lucy

The original choice of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz for the character of Fred Mertz was Gale Gordon, who was unable to accept the role due to prior contractual obligations. Frawley lobbied heavily for the role, but Lucy and Desi were reluctant to consider him because of his reputation for heavy drinking. By 1951, Frawley was virtually unemployable thanks to a combination of his fondness for alcohol, and his disagreeable personality.

Desi Arnaz agreed to consider Frawley, with the stipulation that if he showed up drunk for work more than once, he would not only be fired from the program but blacklisted throughout the entertainment industry. He readily agreed to this condition and never showed up drunk on the set. Arnaz became one of his very few close friends, taking out a full page ad on his death in the trade papers, consisting of Frawley's picture, edged in black, and three words: "Buenas noches, amigo!".

Frawley and Vivian Vance, shared a great comedic and musical chemistry onscreen, and nothing but mutual contempt off-screen. Part of it was the age difference of 22 years between the two, but it essentially was a clash of two strong personalities. Frawley was once heard to say: "She's one of the finest girls to come out of Kansas, but I often wish she'd go back there."

It is said that Vance and her fourth husband were dining out when they heard Frawley had died. Upon receiving the news, Vance reportedly shouted, "Champagne for everybody!".

My Three Sons

Frawley appeared in the sitcom My Three Sons in the role of grandfather Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey beginning in 1960. Starring Fred MacMurray, the series focused on a widower raising his three sons.

Frawley was never comfortable with the out-of-sequence filming method used on the show after filming I Love Lucy in sequence. Each season's episodes were arranged so that MacMurray could shoot all of his scenes during two blocks within a total of 65 days on the set. The rest of the cast worked the remaining scenes during the remainder of the production schedule.v

Poor health forced his retirement from My Three Sons after five years when the studio could no longer obtain insurance on him. He was replaced by actor William Demarest in the role of Uncle Charlie.

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