Let’s take a trip down memory lane to one of the most iconic sitcoms in television history—My Three Sons. This classic show originally aired on ABC from 1960 to 1965, before making its way to CBS, where it continued to charm audiences until 1972. The brainchild of producer Sheldon Leonard, this series became a beloved staple in American households, and it all started with a little bit of Hollywood magic.

Now, here's where it gets interesting: Fred MacMurray, the man who played the patriarch Steve Douglas, was initially hesitant about joining the small screen. But after some advice from his good friend Robert Young (yes, the same Robert Young from Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby, M.D.), Fred decided to give it a shot. And boy, did he strike gold! Not only did Fred agree to star in the show, but he also negotiated a deal that allowed him to shoot an entire season upfront, freeing up the rest of his year to focus on his film career. Talk about having your cake and eating it too!

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Meet the Cast: The Douglas Family

my-three-sons-main1 — (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

At the heart of My Three Sons is Fred MacMurray’s portrayal of Steve Douglas, a widower doing his best to raise three boys while juggling his career as an aeronautical engineer. Helping him along the way is his lovable father-in-law, "Bub," played by the incomparable William Frawley, who you might recognize as Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy. Now, if you’re wondering what happened to William Frawley, let me fill you in. Unfortunately, due to health issues, William had to leave the show in 1965. Enter William Demarest, who stepped into the role as Uncle Charlie, the boys' great-uncle. Over the years, the show expanded its family dynamic with the addition of wives, a stepdaughter, and, most notably, an adopted son named Ernie, played by Barry Livingston.