Vivian Vance’s Troubled Marriage to Bill Frawley

Vivian Vance was an accomplished actress, best known for her role as Ethel Mertz on the classic television sitcom, I Love Lucy. Vance was married twice in her lifetime, with her first marriage being to Joseph Shearer Danneck Jr.

Vivian Vance and Joseph Shearer Danneck Jr. were married in 1933, but their marriage was short-lived and ended in divorce in 1940. There is little information available about their relationship, but it has been reported that Danneck was abusive towars Vance.

Vivian Vance’s second and final marriage was to Philip Ober, a fellow actor whom she met while performing in a Broadway production of the play, Voice of the Turtle. The two were married in 1959 and remained together until Ober’s death in 1982.

Unlike Vance’s first marriage, her relationship with Ober was reportedly a happy one. The couple shared a love of the arts and enjoyed traveling together. Ober was also supportive of Vance’s acting career, even accompanying her to Hollywood when she was cast in I Love Lucy.

While Vance’s marriage to Ober was a happy one, her relationship with her on-screen husband, William Frawley, was less so. The two actors reportedly disliked each other intensely, with Vance resenting her role as the wife of a man much older than herself. Frawley, who was 22 years older than Vance, took offense to her complaints and the two never reconciled.

Vivian Vance was married twice in her life, with her first marriage ending in divorce due to alleged abuse. Her second marriage to actor Philip Ober was a happy one, but her on-screen relationship with William Frawley was fraught with tension and animosity. Despite her personal struggles, Vance remains a beloved figure in television history, remembered for her talent and wit on I Love Lucy.

Does Vivian Vance Have Children?

Vivian Vance did not have any children. She remained childless throughout her life. Vivian Vance was married twice, first to Joseph Shearer Danneck Jr. from 1933 to 1940, and then to Philip Ober from 1941 to 1959. However, she never had any children in either of her marriages.

vivian vance spouse

Why Did William Frawley And Vivian Vance Not Get Along?

William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who played Fred and Ethel Mertz in the classic TV show “I Love Lucy,” worked well together on screen, but off-screen, they had a great dislike for each other. The main reason for their mutual hatred was reportedly due to Vance’s vocal resentment of having to play the wife of a man who was 22 years her senior. Frawley overheard Vance complaining abot their on-screen relationship and took offense, which led to him never forgiving her. This animosity between the two actors was not hidden and was often noticed by the cast and crew of the show. Despite their personal differences, both actors were known for their excellent performance and contributed greatly to the success of the show.

Did Vivian And Bill Get Along?

At first, Vivian Vance and Bill Frawley got along quite well. However, as time passed, Vivian became upset at the fact that people readily accepted her as the wife of “that old man,” as she referred to him. It is important to note that Vivian Vance could not stomach Bill Frawley, indicating that their relationship was not a positive one.

Conclusion

Vivian Vance, the talented actress who portrayed the iconic Ethel Mertz in the classic sitcom “I Love Lucy,” had a tumultuous relationship with her on-screen husband, Fred Mertz, played by Bill Frawley. Despite their successful on-screen chemistry, Vance and Frawley had a deep-seated dislike for each other, which is attributed to Vance’s vocal resentment of having to play wife to a man 22 years her senior. This resentment reportedly offended Frawley, who nevr forgave her. While Vance never had children, she left behind a legacy as a talented and beloved actress, who will forever be remembered for her unforgettable portrayal of Ethel Mertz.

Photo of author

William Armstrong

William Armstrong is a senior editor with H-O-M-E.org, where he writes on a wide variety of topics. He has also worked as a radio reporter and holds a degree from Moody College of Communication. William was born in Denton, TX and currently resides in Austin.