William Frawley~Fred Mertz

Ten years prior to that, he has established himself as a major television star. William Frawley is best known as Fred Mertz in one of the biggest hits in TV history, "I Love Lucy."

Fred Mertz is a priceless character: the next-door neighbor, close friend, and penny-pinching landlord of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Frawley had to fight for the part. Originally, Lucille Ball wanted Gale Gordon for the role, but Gordon was unavailable. Frawley got the role only after convincing network executives that her wouldn't let his habit for alcohol interfere with his work.

During his time on "I Love Lucy," Frawley made no bones about his dislike for his on-screen wife, Vivian Vance. He once remarked, "She's on of the finest gals to come out of Kansas, but I often wish she'd go back there." Likewise, Vance was often expressing her disgust about having an on-screen husband who was old enough to be her father.

During his "I Love Lucy" years, Frawley found time for occasional guest appearances on other shows such as "The Mickey Mouse Club," "The Gale Storm Show," "The Red Skeleton Show," "The Loretta Young Show," and "Shower of Stars." In 1960, he began work on another long-running series, "My Three Sons." On that show he played Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey, father-in-law to Fred MacMurray's character and housekeeper for the family of men. In 1964 Frawley became to ill to work and was replaced on "My Three Sons" by William Demarest at the end of the season.

Frawley's last televison appearance was a cameo on a 1965 episode of "The Lucy Show," entitled "Lucy and the Countess Have a House Guest." In that episode, Lucy Carmichael commented on how familiar he seemed to her.

William Frawley died on March 3, 1966.

There is nothing Fred enjoys more than watching the fights on television with his pal and neighbor, Ricky Ricardo. There is nothing he hates more than spending money, particularly on his wife. He seems to be both the landlord and the superintendent of the building he lives in, but he takes an awful lot of naps during the day.

Fred has a wandering eye for any attractive dame who may wander past his field of vision, but he remains faithful to Ethel and thrives on the constant bickering they mutually enjoy.

As an old-timer, Fred can't be taught too many tricks, but if the tricks Lucy pulls don't surprise him, nothing will.