William Frawley Biography

Fast Facts

• Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2012 along with his co-star Vivian Vance
• Memorialized by the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York
• Against the wishes of his mother, he formed a vaudeville act in the 1910s with his younger brother Paul
• Quote: "[on his mutual dislike for his "I Love Lucy" co-star Vivian Vance] "She's one of the finest girls to come out of Kansas․ But I often wish she'd go back there․""
• After establishing himself as a character actor for both stage and film, he lobbied to win the role of Fred Mertz in the upcoming series, "I Love Lucy," a role he played for almost a decade
• Found fame once again in the 1960s after appearing on "My Three Sons" for five years before retiring from show business due to health concerns
• Had it written in his "I Love Lucy" contract that if the New York Yankees ever made the World Series, he would not have to work until the season had concluded, a stipulation that would force him to miss two episodes during the show's run
• Was the first performer to ever sing the tune "My Melancholy Baby․"