List of The Munsters characters
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of recurring characters in the CBS
sitcom The Munsters
and other related projects.
), who becomes Eddie's playmate. He was portrayed by Paul Lynde
in three episodes and by Dom DeLuise
in "Just Another Pretty Face."
(while the name indicates three owners, the company appears to be a sole proprietorship
) that Herman works at. Mr. Gateman is one of the few "ordinary" humans not taken aback by the Munsters' appearance and habits. On two occasions, Mr. Gateman fires Herman, the first of which occurring when Herman asks for a raise. Lily helps regain his job by convincing Mr. Gateman of Herman's value to the company. Herman is almost fired again, but Mr. Gateman has a change of heart. Played by John Carradine
.
. Mrs. Cribbins has built a barbed wire fence between her yard and the Munsters'; unlike some of the Munsters' other neighbors, she knows very little about them personally but is aware that the family is partially vampiric. In "My Fair Munster" Mrs. Cribbins drinks a philtre
concocted by Grandpa and falls in love with the mailman, Warren Bloom (John Fiedler
), who is also wary of the Munsters, to the extent that he wears the supposed vampire repellent garlic
during his rounds.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom The Munsters
The Munsters
The Munsters is a 1960s American family television sitcom depicting the home life of a family of monsters. It starred Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, Lily Munster. The series was a satire of both traditional monster movies and popular family entertainment of the era,...
and other related projects.
The Munsters
| Character | Actor/Actress |
| Herman Munster Herman Munster Herman Munster, 5th Earl of Shroudshire, is a fictional character in the CBS sitcom The Munsters, originally played by Fred Gwynne. The patriarch of the Munster household, Herman is an entity much like Frankenstein's monster along with Lurch on the show's competitor The Addams Family.Due to the... |
Fred Gwynne Fred Gwynne Frederick Hubbard "Fred" Gwynne was an American actor. Gwynne was best known for his roles in the 1960s sitcoms Car 54, Where Are You? and The Munsters, as well as his later roles: Pet Sematary and My Cousin Vinny... (1960s series), John Schuck John Schuck Conrad John Schuck Jr. is an American actor, primarily in stage, movies and television. He is best-known for his roles as police commissioner Rock Hudson's mildly slow-witted assistant, Sgt. Charles Enright in the 1970s crime drama McMillan & Wife, and as Lee Meriwether's husband, Herman Munster... (1980s series) |
| Lily Munster Lily Munster Lily Munster, Countess of Shroudshire , is a fictional character in the CBS sitcom The Munsters, originally played by Yvonne De Carlo. The matriarch of the Munster household, Lily is an undead vampire. Her character resembles Vampira... |
Yvonne De Carlo Yvonne De Carlo Yvonne De Carlo was a Canadian-born American actress of film and television. During her six-decade career, her most frequent appearances in film came in the 1940s and 1950s and included her best-known film roles, such as of Anna Marie in Salome Where She Danced ; Anna in Criss Cross ; Sephora the... (1960s series), Lee Meriwether Lee Meriwether Lee Ann Meriwether is an American actress, former model, and the winner of the 1955 Miss America pageant. She is perhaps best known for her role as Betty Jones, the crime-solving partner in the long-running 1970s crime drama, Barnaby Jones. The role earned her two Golden Globe Award nominations in... (1980s series) |
| Grandpa | Al Lewis (1960s series), Howard Morton Howard Morton Howard Morton was an American actor.A tall man with comedic talent, Morton appeared as Dolph Sweet's doltish police subordinate on Gimme a Break! for five seasons and appeared in many other TV shows and films... (1980s series) |
| Eddie Munster Eddie Munster Edward Wolfgang "Eddie" Munster is a fictional character on the CBS sitcom The Munsters, originally played by Butch Patrick. The only child of Herman and Lily Munster, Eddie is a werewolf... |
Butch Patrick Butch Patrick Butch Patrick is a former American child actor. He is widely known for his role on the TV show The Munsters where he played Eddie Munster, the son of Herman and Lily Munster... (1960s series), Jason Marsden Jason Marsden Jason Christopher Marsden is an American screen and voice actor who has done numerous voice roles in animated films, as well as various television series.-Early life:... (1980s series) |
| Marilyn Munster Marilyn Munster Marilyn Munster is a fictional character in the CBS sitcom The Munsters, originally played by Beverley Owen with actress Pat Priest later assuming the role. In the original series she is the daughter of Lily Munster's sister, with Herman alluding to her "plain" looks coming from Lily's side of the... |
Beverley Owen Beverley Owen Beverley Owen is a classically-trained American actress perhaps most widely known for having played the role of Marilyn Munster during the first season of The Munsters... (ep. 1-13, 1960s series), Pat Priest (ep. 14-70, 1960s series), Hilary Van Dyke Hilary Van Dyke Hilary Van Dyke is an American actress and singer who began her career in TV advertisements before landing the role of Marilyn Munster in The Munsters Today, replacing the actress in the original pilot episodes, Mary Ellen Dunbar.-Acting:... (1980s series) |
The Munsters' pets
- Igor - Grandpa's pet TransylvaniaTransylvaniaTransylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
n bat. He is often seen flying around the mansion, especially in Grandpa's basement, in which he often serves as a guinea pig. His feelings are easily hurt, inducing him to fly away. On occasion, Grandpa in bat form has been mistaken for Igor. - Spot - Eddie's pet dragonDragonA dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
whose lair is under the stairs. He has a battleaxe scar on his shoulder and is always spouting fire. When he leaves his lair, only his tail can usually be seen. The 13th episode of Season 2 "Underground Munster" features Spot running away to be mistaken for a dangerous monster when sighted in the sewer. Herman goes down the manhole to search for Spot, but is also mistaken for a dangerous monster. The only episode in which we see more than his tail occurs in the episode "Lily's Star Boarder". Despite his fearsome demeanor, Spot is "afraid of his own shadow" and Herman adds "and I don't blame him." Spot was designed by Fred GwynneFred GwynneFrederick Hubbard "Fred" Gwynne was an American actor. Gwynne was best known for his roles in the 1960s sitcoms Car 54, Where Are You? and The Munsters, as well as his later roles: Pet Sematary and My Cousin Vinny...
and Al Lewis using the TyrannosaurusTyrannosaurusTyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
model from the movie One Million B.C.One Million B.C.One Million B.C. is a 1940 American fantasy film produced by Hal Roach Studios and released by United Artists. It is also known by the titles Cave Man, Man and His Mate, and Tumak.... - The RavenRavenRaven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
(voiced by Mel BlancMel BlancMelvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
and occasionally by Bob HastingsBob HastingsRobert "Bob" Hastings is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons....
) - A raven who lives in the Munsters' cuckoo clockCuckoo clockA cuckoo clock is a clock, typically pendulum-regulated, that strikes the hours with a sound like a common cuckoo's call and typically has a mechanical cuckoo that emerges with each note...
and repeats the word "NevermoreThe Raven"The Raven" is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in January 1845. It is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow descent into madness...
." When the raven occasionally makes smart alecky remarks, Herman throws objects at him. Sometimes, the raven will come out of his clock, but often only for short breaks, or to flee when frightened. - Kitty - A black catBlack catA black cat is a feline with black fur. It is not a particular breed of cat and may be mixed or of a specific breed. The Bombay, known for its sleek black fur, is an example of a black cat. The all-black pigmentation is equally prevalent in both male and female cats...
roars like a lionLionThe lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
.
Dr. Dudley
Edward Howard Dudley, M.D., is the Munsters' family doctor. Dr. Dudley is one of the few characters who has had to learn to tolerate the Munsters. Dr. Dudley is extremely nearsighted (and sometimes prefers to have his glasses off when examining members of the family). His secretary and nurse is Ms. Fairchild (played by Alice Backes). Dr. Dudley and his wife (Marilyn Lovell) have a son, Elmer Dudley (Peter RobbinsPeter Robbins (actor)
Peter Robbins is a former child actor best known for his voice-over work as Charlie Brown in the 1960s.-The original Charlie Brown:...
), who becomes Eddie's playmate. He was portrayed by Paul Lynde
Paul Lynde
Paul Edward Lynde was an American comedian and actor. A noted character actor, Lynde was well known for his roles as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and Harry MacAfee, the befuddled father in Bye Bye Birdie...
in three episodes and by Dom DeLuise
Dom DeLuise
Dominick "Dom" DeLuise was an American actor, comedian, film director, television producer, chef, and author. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death and the father of: actor, director, pianist, and writer Peter DeLuise; actor David DeLuise; and actor Michael DeLuise...
in "Just Another Pretty Face."
Mr. Gateman
Mr. Gateman (whose first name is never given) is the undertaker in charge of the Gateman, Goodbury, and Graves funeral homeFuneral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
(while the name indicates three owners, the company appears to be a sole proprietorship
Sole proprietorship
A sole proprietorship, also known as the sole trader or simply a proprietorship, is a type of business entity that is owned and run by one individual and in which there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. The owner receives all profits and has unlimited responsibility for...
) that Herman works at. Mr. Gateman is one of the few "ordinary" humans not taken aback by the Munsters' appearance and habits. On two occasions, Mr. Gateman fires Herman, the first of which occurring when Herman asks for a raise. Lily helps regain his job by convincing Mr. Gateman of Herman's value to the company. Herman is almost fired again, but Mr. Gateman has a change of heart. Played by John Carradine
John Carradine
John Carradine was an American actor, best known for his roles in horror films and Westerns as well as Shakespearean theater. A member of Cecil B DeMille's stock company and later John Ford's company, he was one of the most prolific character actors in Hollywood history...
.
Clyde Thornton
Clyde Thornton is Herman's co-worker at the funeral home, portrayed by Chet Stratton. When first introduced, Clyde is continuously tricking and ridiculing Herman into one of his practical jokes until Herman finally stands up to him and Clyde gets caught in one of his own traps. After settling their differences, in "Cyrano De Munster", Clyde uses Herman's poems to woo the girl of his dreams. When she finds out that Clyde is not the one writing the poems, she rejects him and inquires about Herman. After finally seeing Herman, the girl screams and runs away. Angry at seeing his dream girl so frightened, Clyde punches Herman in the jaw and consequently breaks his own hand. Like most of Herman's co-workers, Clyde does not seem to notice anything unusual about Herman's appearance, although he is impressed (and intimidated) by Herman's super-strength.Mrs. Cribbins
Mrs. Yolanda "Yo-yo" Cribbins is the Munsters' neighbor. When the Munsters refer to a neighbor, it is often Mrs. Cribbins. Played by Claire Carleton, Mrs. Cribbins is a fiftyish widow who lives in the house to the left of the Munsters'Munster Mansion
The Munster Mansion , is a house located at Universal Studios. It is most famous for its use in the 1960s sitcom The Munsters, but has appeared in many other films...
. Mrs. Cribbins has built a barbed wire fence between her yard and the Munsters'; unlike some of the Munsters' other neighbors, she knows very little about them personally but is aware that the family is partially vampiric. In "My Fair Munster" Mrs. Cribbins drinks a philtre
Philtre
A philtre or philter is a magic potion.The word may also refer to:*Philtre *Le Philtre, an 1831 opera by Daniel Auber*Philtre, an album by Nitin Sawhney*"Philter", a track from The Fantastic Plastic Machine...
concocted by Grandpa and falls in love with the mailman, Warren Bloom (John Fiedler
John Fiedler
John Donald Fiedler was an American voice actor and character actor in stage, film, television and radio. He was slight, balding, and bespectacled, with a distinctive, high-pitched voice and a career lasting more than 55 years.He is best remembered for four roles: as the nervous Juror #2 in 12...
), who is also wary of the Munsters, to the extent that he wears the supposed vampire repellent garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
during his rounds.
On the Munster side
- Charlie Munster (portrayed by Fred GwynneFred GwynneFrederick Hubbard "Fred" Gwynne was an American actor. Gwynne was best known for his roles in the 1960s sitcoms Car 54, Where Are You? and The Munsters, as well as his later roles: Pet Sematary and My Cousin Vinny...
) - Herman's twin brother. Conniving and a liar, he is into get-rich-quick schemeGet-rich-quick schemeA get-rich-quick scheme is a plan to acquire high rates of return for a small investment. The term "get rich quick" has been used to describe shady investments since at least the early 1900s....
s, and often engages in scam artistry. - Johann - Herman's "cousin". One of an unknown number of near misses before the successful creation of Herman & Charlie, survived in the Transylvanian woods for over 150 years, where he frightened young maidens, found by Dr. Frankenstein who was the original's great great grandson who had control over him.
- Victor FrankensteinVictor FrankensteinVictor Frankenstein was born in Napoli, is a Swiss fictional character and the protagonist of the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, written by Mary Shelley...
- A German scientist who created Herman. At Herman and Lily's wedding, Frankenstein gave Herman away "with his blueprints." He is currently dead. - Victor Frankenstein IV (portrayed by John AbbottJohn AbbottSir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott, PC, KCMG, QC was the third Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the office for seventeen months, from June 16, 1891 to November 24, 1892. - Life and work :...
) - The great great grandson of Victor Frankenstein that appeared in "A Visit from Johann." - Cousin Wolverine - Also known as Cousin Wolfie, he is another Munster relative who has died more than once. During one of the occasions, Wolverine left the Munsters $10,000.
- Uncle Gilbert (portrayed by Richard HaleRichard HaleRichard Hale was an American character actor of film, stage and television. Hale was known for his unusual appearance which usually landed him in the roles of either Middle Eastern or Native American characters....
) - Uncle Gilbert is one of the Munster's favorite relatives from the Old Country and is also the Creature from the Black LagoonGill-manThe Creature, sometimes referred to less ambiguously as the Gill-man, is the titular character of the 1954 black-and-white science fiction film Creature from the Black Lagoon and its two sequels Revenge of the Creature and The Creature Walks Among Us . Ricou Browning portrays the underwater...
. He once brought with him $180,000 in gold and Spanish doubloons, when visiting the family. He used to be a politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
as well. - Elsa Hyde (portrayed by Judy GoldJudy GoldJudy Gold is an American stand-up comic and actor. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show...
) - Lily's sister and Marilyn's Mother in Here Come The MunstersHere Come the MunstersHere Come the Munsters is a telefilm that aired on Fox October 31, 1995. It starred Edward Herrmann, Christine Taylor and Veronica Hamel. It included cameos from original Munsters surviving cast members Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Butch Patrick, and Pat Priest... - Frank Munster - Herman's brother in The Munsters TodayThe Munsters TodayThe Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
.
On the Dracula side
- Katja Dracula - In The Munsters TodayThe Munsters TodayThe Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
, she's Lily's mother and depicted as Grandpa's favorite wife. She is also a go-getter vampire. She left her daughter and husband when Lily was very young, due to a "having to get away", but she came back, trying reconcile. Eventually, she left again before this could be official. - Lester Dracula (portrayed by Irwin Charone) - Lily's brother and a classy, if not financially responsible, werewolfWerewolfA werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
. - Lily's (unnamed) sister - The mother of Marilyn.
- Uncle George - Grandpa's uncle who was hanged.
- Cousin Ronald - Grandpa's cousin.
- Cousin Phantom - Their cousin and the Phantom of the Opera, who shatters glass with his voice.
- Uncle Garrett and Aunt Mina - They were never depicted and were said to live in Death ValleyDeath ValleyDeath Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. Badwater, a basin located in Death Valley, is the specific location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below...
. - Uncle Boris - He was "a real swinger", according to Grandpa. At Christmas, he used to exchange bombs with Rasputin. A picture of him was found in the Munsters' family photo album.
- Cousin Humphrey - He is Grandpa's deceased, rotten cousin. He stole Grandpa's aspirin during the Black Plague. He was also a lousy piano player. He is now a ghostGhostIn traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
. - Lily's Grandma - She is Lily's grandmother who died for the umpteenth time in 1964, she left Lily an inheritance of $5000.
- Unseen Cousin - On The Munsters TodayThe Munsters TodayThe Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
, Herman states that one of Lily's cousins is a mermaid.
Other
In later adaptations of The Munsters, other relatives were provided:- Leonard - Grandpa's long-time skeleton friend ever since college in Medieval times. He has appeared in every episode in The Munsters TodayThe Munsters TodayThe Munsters Today is an American sitcom that aired in syndication from 1988 to 1991. The series served as a sequel to the 1960s sitcom The Munsters.-Production:...
.