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.”
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!
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.
Yvonne De Carlo Then
Lily Munster is the mother of the Munster family. Lily nurtured a deep relationship with her niece Marilyn and considered her as a daughter. The Munster matriarch also served as the crucial beacon of reason in her family, continuously telling her husband Herman to avoid getting lured in on any more schemes.
Lily Munster was also the mediator between Herman and Grandpa throughout their numerous quarrels. She was hot-tempered as well, constantly becoming furious at Herman, despite the fact she was madly in love with him. Lily Munster was the complete inverse of Herman Munster’s character, and that is precisely what anyone would expect a mother of the Munster family would be.
Yvonne De Carlo Now
Following her work with "The Munsters," Yvonne De Carlo remained active in her acting career until 1995. De Carlo, though, actually played Lily Munster in the later parts of her career as an actress. When the show was shut down, the Canadian-American actress returned as Lily for the Technicolor movie "Munsters, Go Home!"
After "The Munsters" ultimately reached its end, she starred in a couple of low-budget Western films, "Hostile guns" and "Arizona Bushwhackers." De Carlo was also a supporting cast for the suspenseful film, "The Power." Following the end of 1967, De Carlo shifted her focus to theatre play and worked in various musical plays like "Catch me if You Can" and "Little Me." She made her last screen appearance on the TV film, "The Barefoot Executive." This talented actress passed away in 2007 at the age of 84.