‘I Love Lucy’: Why Desi Arnaz Cast William Frawley as Fred Mertz After Being Warned Not to Hire Him
Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball produced and starred in the legendary sitcom I Love Lucy. Casting seasoned actors Vivian Vance and William Frawley to play their BFFs and neighbors Ethel and Fred Mertz, Arnaz had to go over some guidelines with Frawley before offering him the role.
Desi Arnaz got pushback from the network on hiring William Frawley for ‘I Love Lucy’
Arnaz recalled bringing Vance and Frawley on for the roles of the bickering Mertz couple. After speaking to Frawley on the phone and deciding he would make the perfect Fred Mertz, those backing the sitcom tried to convince him not to hire Frawley due to his penchant for drinking.
“I then checked with the CBS people, the sponsor, and the advertising agency,” Arnaz wrote in his memoir A Book. “They all said, ‘Yeah, we know what he has done in the past, but what has he done lately? Besides, he’s an alcoholic. You’d be out of your mind to hire him. There are a lot of actors who are much more dependable and can play the part.'”
Despite the pushback, Arnaz was determined to bring Frawley on board as Fred.
“According to my contract as executive producer, I had complete creative control of the show,” Arnaz explained. “I knew I could land on my ass by doing the wrong thing, but I’d rather land on it by doing that than by having someone else talk me into doing something which would land me there anyway.”
‘I Love Lucy’ stars met over drinks to go over some rules
Ironically, Arnaz called a meeting with Frawley at a bar and they discussed the show over cocktails. He told Frawley what the network execs said about his drinking, and let the actor know his stance on the situation.
“Look, I don’t give a damn whether you drink or not,” he told Frawley. “I like to drink myself. … But Lucy and I have everything going on this project. She’s given up her motion picture career and I’ve given up my band business. If we fail, I don’t want it to be because some character like you loused us up.”
Arnaz also let Frawley know he had considered popular actor Gale Gordon for the role of Fred Mertz, but knew Frawley was more suited for the part. The band leader warned Frawley in no uncertain terms what would be a dealbreaker on his set.
“The first time you are not able to do your job, I’ll try to work around you for that day,” Arnaz said. “The second time, I’ll try to manage again. But if you do it three times, you are through, and I mean through. Not only on our show, but you’ll never work in this town again as long as you live.”
Desi Arnaz didn’t regret his decision
Frawley was given the part of Fred Mertz and became a fan favorite as the lovable curmudgeon of I Love Lucy. Arnaz praised his co-star for coming through with a strong work ethic and consistently entertaining performance.
“He never missed a day’s work nor was he even a few minutes late during all the years he was with us,” Arnaz revealed. “Every time Lucy and I went to any city in the United States the first thing the people would ask us was ‘Where’s Fred?'”
