"Grandpa Munster" Al Lewis is dead

[Thomas Veil]

NEW YORK - Al Lewis, the cigar-chomping patriarch of "The Munsters" whose work as a basketball scout, restaurateur and political candidate never eclipsed his role as Grandpa from the television sitcom, died after years of failing health. He was 95.

Lewis, with his wife at his bedside, passed away Friday night, said Bernard White, program director at WBAI-FM, where the actor hosted a weekly radio program. White made the announcement on the air during the Saturday slot where Lewis usually appeared.

"To say that we will miss his generous, cantankerous, engaging spirit is a profound understatement," White said.

Al Lewis was always one of my favorite character actors.

I remember seeing him in at least two other places: a Lost in Space episode in which he played a demented magician, and "The Night Strangler" (the sequel to the original "Night Stalker") in which he played a wino.

Lewis always seemed to play the "same" character -- the daffy guy with the weird laugh -- but he was always loads of fun to watch.

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[bousozoku]

He was equally funny in "Car 54, Where Are you?" and "The Munsters", at least, to me. Thankfully, in those days, you didn't have to be beautiful/handsome to be an actor--you just needed to know how to act.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I saw this earlier this evening. So sad to see one of the greats leave us.

 

[EricNau]

That's sad.

I always liked him in the Munsters...

 

[0098386]

I never knew actors lived that long. 95. wow.

good actor, seemed to be a good guy too. he'll be missed

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Hmm... there appears to be a bit of a difference of opinion over his age. According the the BBC report on his death, he was only 82.

 

[thedude110]

He was equally funny in "Car 54, Where Are you?" and "The Munsters", at least, to me.

And perhaps even funnier in collecting 60,000 votes while running for Governor of NY.

Unlike Ralph Nader, who ran his own agenda in his campaign for President in 1996 ...Grandpa, a constant badgerer, often calls to familiarize himself with the Green Party's position...

In other words, a man great enough to bring Naderites and Munster junkies together.

 

[Thomas Veil]

Hmm... there appears to be a bit of a difference of opinion over his age. According the the BBC report on his death, he was only 82.

Well, his iMDb bio lists his birth year as 1910 and talks about him already being in show business in the late 1920s. FWIW.

 

[Deepdale]

Al Lewis was also a big fan of the knicks. At least now he won't have to suffer their horrible play any longer. I will miss him.

 

[ibook30]

Sad news- like many others have said- Al Lewis' work was great. I watched a movie with my daughter recently that starred Al as vampire - in his later years.

 

[capone2]

1923??

How could his son say he was born in 23 when he was a vaudelvillian ?? Why is he lying like that ?? how weird! That would have made him only 41 when he did The Munsters, not right. He was born in 1910 like imdb says, has to be!!