Sunday, July 10, 2022

Herman Munster

Today is actor Fred Gwynne's birthday. He would have been 96 years old. (He died three decades ago.)

Everyone recognizes Fred from his iconic performance as Herman Munster in "The Munsters," a classic TV show from the Sixties. Even though it only ran for two seasons its impact was deep and lasting due to syndication. 

Aside from an amusing role as a Judge in "My Cousin Vinny," my favorite perfomance of Fred's was "Car 54, Where Are You?" That was an earlier Sixties TV show which included Al Lewis (Grandpa on "The Munsters"). I saw Al Lewis in person in the 1980s when he owned a restaurant on Bleecker Street in Manhattan. Every day he stood there smiling at everyone. What a nice guy.

Life is funny and moves in unpredictable directions. For example, Fred Gwynne was born into a wealthy family, attended a fancy prep-school (Groton) and graduated from Harvard University. He acted in respectable plays by Shakespeare. One would never guess he'd be best-remembered for clownish Herman Munster, but there you go. :)

13 comments:

  1. It's funny what you are remembered for, isn't it!
    I really liked the Munsters!

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    1. Everyone does which is why the show lasted so long.

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  2. Some actors seem to fit perfectly into a role and one that really chimes with the public too. So much so, that the character and their portrayal lives on long after they've moved on. Let's hope Fred and Al were okay with their lot.

    I still think of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. 🙂

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    1. You're right. That accounts for the resonance of their characters.

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  3. Ah, the "yewts" joke in My Cousin Vinny!! I knew him as Herman Munster - I loved that show!

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  4. An iconic role! I can't believe The Munster's only aired for 2 seasons! It seemed like so much longer than that, with the way I remember always seeing it on TV as a kid.

    I've got a new post up featuring a pair of wide-leg jeans and a floral summer top- come check it out! :)

    -Ashley

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  5. I think I am beginning to see more and more that life works in funny ways like that. It's never linear, and you can never plan or anticipate perfectly what will happen!
    claire @ clairefy

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  6. The show was so memorable and unique. I never thought I'd be selling dead people's clothes but there you have it.

    Suzanne

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