What actor played Fred Mertz on 'I Love Lucy'?

William Frawley played Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy.” He portrayed Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s gruff but dependable landlord from the series premiere in 1951 through the show’s run and its later hour-long continuation.

Frawley was already a veteran vaudeville performer and character actor when he won the part. Lucille Ball suggested him after he personally called her about the new series, while Desi Arnaz strongly supported casting him despite CBS’s concerns about Frawley’s reputation for drinking. The role was adjusted to suit his cantankerous comic persona.

Fred Mertz was married to Ethel Mertz, played by Vivian Vance. Their bickering partnership became one of the sitcom’s central comic relationships, and Frawley received five consecutive Emmy nominations for the role from 1953 through 1957.

A common mix-up is confusing Frawley with Frank Nelson, who appeared on the series as recurring guest characters, or with Desi Arnaz, who played Ricky Ricardo. Frawley later played Bub O’Casey on “My Three Sons.”