Farewell Munsters!
Prior to the show’s termination after just a couple of seasons, the cast of “The Munsters” filmed a television movie called “Munster, Go Home!” In the movie, Herman Munster inherited a considerable amount of wealth as well as a mansion that he got from an uncle who lived as an Earl in England.
After Herman was given the massive fortune, the Munster family would then travel to the United Kingdom only to uncover a counterfeiting scheme. TV viewers appreciated the movie since it didn’t attempt to do too much nor strayed away from the show’s original theme. It was simply longer and had a more complex plot, and this time was shot in color!
Beverley Owen Now
Following a short stint with "The Munsters" during its initial episodes, Beverley Owen tied the knot with the show’s writer and producer, Joe Stone. In due course, Owen starred in the western "Bullet for a Badman" (1964) with the role of Audie Murphy. The actress would then appear for a couple of years on the TV series "Another World," starting from 1971.
After her performance with "Another World," Beverley Owen would retire from the TV screens and focus her career in theatre, performing with the Cambridge Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, New York. She then mothered two beautiful girls and has obtained a master’s degree in 1989. The American actress sadly passed away at 81 years old in 2019.
The Raven's Two Voices
Robert Francis Hastings was an American radio, film, and TV actor who began his early path to show business as a boy singer on various radio shows such as "Doug Gray's Singing Gang" and "Coast to Coast on a Bus." Hastings also did voice-over work for various animated cartoons. The multi-talented actor was notable for his depiction of the irritating suck-up character, Lt. Elroy Carpenter, in the movie "McHale's Navy."
He also did additional voice-over work as a substitute for Mel Blanc, who played the main voice of The Raven on "The Munsters." Apparently, Blanc was overly preoccupied with the numerous different voice acting stints that he worked on during the time. It’s hard to condemn the man, though, as it made perfect sense to voice the popular Bugs Bunny over a raven that suddenly comes out from a clock for just two or three seconds on every episode.
Fred Gwynne Then
Even though he appeared large and frightening, Herman Munster was actually an adorable and gentle clown who couldn’t hurt a fly. Despite being the patriarch of the Munster monster family and centuries-old, he typically behaves like a young boy. Herman had a tendency to go into a tantrum which was depicted with an animal-like moan.
Herman Munster was also an affectionate and dedicated father and is quite prone to get lured into parlor tricks and feeble schemes. The character was portrayed by Fred Gwynne and is possibly the American actor’s most prominent role. There are even those who believe that Gwynne’s performance was the reason why "The Munsters" gained such a level of success.
Fred Gwynne Now
Following his performance as Herman Munster, Fred Gwynne maintained a career in acting until he passed away at 66 years old in 1993. Even after "The Munsters" was long over, the public still labeled the actor as Herman Munster, which became a source of constant struggle for Gwynne in landing an acting gig for a period of two years.
Fortunately for Fred Gwynne, after a lot of bad luck, he was chosen to perform in the TV production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." Since then, Gwynne enjoyed a long and successful acting career, working in a considerable amount of shows, films, and mini-series. Some of his most notable appearances on TV after "The Munsters" include Judge Chamberlain Haller in the comedy film "My Cousin Vinny" and Jud Crandall in the hair-raising horror movie, "Pet Sematary."