An author reveals how ‘I Love Lucy’ star William Frawley connected Monroe and DiMaggio
Los Angeles: So, you know how sometimes the most unexpected people play a huge role in our lives? Well, it turns out that William Frawley, the guy who played Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy,” was the one who introduced Marilyn Monroe to Joe DiMaggio.
Picture this: Marilyn was out having dinner with her agent, Norman Brokaw. Frawley spots them and decides to make a move. He tells them that Joe D. wants to meet Marilyn. Can you imagine her reaction? She had no clue who Joe DiMaggio was! Talk about a surprise!
Norman’s son, Joel, shared that Frawley was having dinner with DiMaggio and thought it would be a great idea to bring the two together. After a little chat, they all ended up at the same table, and the rest is history.
Now, DiMaggio was a big deal back then, having just retired from the Yankees. He was smitten with Marilyn, and it didn’t take long for them to start dating. But here’s the kicker: their marriage only lasted nine months! Marilyn filed for divorce, citing “mental cruelty.”
Joel also mentioned that his dad had a unique connection with Marilyn. He helped her with auditions and acting lessons, and they really hit it off. It’s wild to think how intertwined their lives were, especially since his dad was also close to DiMaggio.
After their marriage ended, DiMaggio still had a soft spot for Marilyn. He even planned her funeral when she passed away in 1962. It’s a bittersweet story of love and loss, showing how complicated relationships can be.
In the end, DiMaggio never forgot her. He had fresh roses sent to her grave twice a week for 20 years. That’s some serious love right there, even after all those years.
