When The Munsters premiered in 1964, America was in the midst of civil unrest, and sitcoms were providing an escape from reality. With fantasy-driven shows featuring genies, witches, martians, and monsters, The Munsters stood out by presenting a spooky-looking family dealing with everyday suburban problems. Though the show only lasted for two seasons, it became a beloved classic that still holds a special place in fans’ hearts today.
Let’s take a look at the cast of The Munsters and see what they did after leaving 1313 Mockingbird Lane behind.
1. Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster)
Herman Munster may have looked menacing, but beneath his Frankenstein-like appearance was a kindhearted, childlike father with wisdom to spare. Before finding fame, Fred Gwynne served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman during World War II. After the war, he attended Harvard, where he joined an a cappella group, worked as a cartoonist for the Harvard Lampoon, and acted in plays. His first television appearance came in 1952, but he didn’t hit it big until Car 54, Where Are You? in 1961.
Then came The Munsters, where Gwynne fully committed to the role of Herman. Wearing the heavy costume and makeup was exhausting—he lost weight from sweating so much on set, despite drinking gallons of lemonade between takes. After The Munsters, he went on to star in Pet Sematary (1989) and had a memorable turn as the no-nonsense judge in My Cousin Vinny (1992). He was also a talented singer, painter, and children’s book author. Sadly, Gwynne passed away in 1993 from complications of pancreatic cancer, just days before his 67th birthday.
2. Yvonne De Carlo (Lily Munster)
Lily Munster, the elegant matriarch of the family, was the perfect balance to Herman’s goofy antics. A vampire with a commanding presence, she was brought to life by Yvonne De Carlo, a well-established movie star before The Munsters. CBS executives insisted on recasting the original actress, and De Carlo’s Hollywood background brought star power to the show. However, she initially clashed with Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis due to her diva-like tendencies. Eventually, the cast grew to appreciate her comedic timing, and she became an essential part of the show.
Before The Munsters, De Carlo had already built an impressive film career, starring in Salome, Where She Danced (1945) and playing Moses’ wife in The Ten Commandments (1956). After The Munsters, she reprised her role in Munster, Go Home! (1966) and The Munsters’ Revenge (1981). Her autobiography, Yvonne, was published in 1987. In her later years, she faced health struggles and suffered a stroke in 1998. She passed away in 2007 from heart failure but left behind a legendary body of work.
3. Al Lewis (Grandpa Munster)
Grandpa Munster, the show’s eccentric vampire scientist, was played by Al Lewis, who nailed the role with his infectious laugh and mad scientist energy. Before The Munsters, Lewis had experience with vampires—his first film credit was Lust of the Vampire (1957). He also had a recurring role in Naked City (1959) before teaming up with Fred Gwynne in Car 54, Where Are You?
Beyond The Munsters, Lewis stayed active in entertainment, appearing in films like Used Cars (1980) and working as a radio broadcaster. He even ran for political office and opened a restaurant, Grampa’s Bella Gente. Lewis worked well into his late 70s, never losing his sharp wit and bold personality. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 82, reportedly having his ashes placed inside his favorite cigar box—just the kind of offbeat farewell you’d expect from Grandpa Munster.
4. Beverley Owen (The Original Marilyn Munster)
Beverley Owen played Marilyn Munster—the family’s “normal” yet “unfortunate-looking” niece—for the first 13 episodes before leaving the show. Initially, Owen believed The Munsters wouldn’t last, but when it became a hit, she struggled with being away from her fiancé in New York. Unable to handle the distance, she left the show to marry Jon Stone, one of the creators of Sesame Street.
Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce after 10 years, and Owen never found another role as high-profile as The Munsters. One of her most notable film appearances was in Bullet for a Badman (1964) alongside Audie Murphy. She later pursued a degree in early American history and lived a quiet life out of the spotlight. In 2019, she passed away from ovarian cancer. Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) later expressed his admiration for her, calling her a “sweet soul” and revealing that he had a childhood crush on her.
5. Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster)
Eddie Munster, the young werewolf of the family, was played by Butch Patrick, who was just 11 years old when he landed the role. His casting may have been fate—his natural fangs (yes, real fangs) gave him a unique look that set him apart.
Patrick had plenty of acting experience before The Munsters, with early roles on The Real McCoys and General Hospital. After The Munsters, he continued acting, appearing in Sid and Marty Krofft’s psychedelic kids’ show Lidsville in the ’70s. In the early ’80s, he recorded a novelty rock song called “What Ever Happened to Eddie?” with his band, Eddie and the Monsters.
Patrick later struggled with drug and alcohol addiction but eventually got sober. In 2011, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer but successfully overcame it. Today, at 70 years old, he still acts in low-budget films and makes appearances at nostalgia conventions, keeping the spirit of Eddie Munster alive.
6. Pat Priest (Marilyn Munster – Second Actress)
When Beverley Owen left The Munsters, producers needed a seamless replacement for Marilyn. Enter Pat Priest, who looked so similar to Owen that most viewers never noticed the switch. Marilyn, the only non-monster in the family, was a running gag—while the world saw her as beautiful, the Munsters saw her as “unfortunate-looking.”
Priest had a solid career before The Munsters, appearing on Perry Mason and in various singing gigs. After the show, she landed a role in Easy Come, Easy Go (1967) opposite Elvis Presley. She continued acting until the mid-1970s before retiring to focus on restoring and selling homes in Idaho.
In 2001, Priest was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but after undergoing treatment, she has remained in remission. Now 87 years old, she still attends Munsters fan conventions, celebrating her role in TV history.
Despite lasting only two seasons, The Munsters left a lasting impact on television, creating a lovable, spooky family that fans still adore today. Who was your favorite character? Let us know in the comments—we read them all!
