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Al Lewis

Al Lewis

Actor·1923–2006·New York City, New York, USA

14 horror credits

An American character actor best known for his role as Count Dracula lookalike "Grandpa", opposite Fred Gwynne's and Yvonne De Carlo's characters on the CBS television series The Munsters from 1964 to 1966 and its subsequent film versions. Later in life, he was also a restaurant owner, political candidate, and radio broadcaster. His acting career begins the well-documented portion of his life. He worked in burlesque and vaudeville theaters, then on Broadway in the dramas The Night Circus (1958) and One More River (1960) and as the character Moe Shtarker in the musical comedy Do Re Mi (1962).

His earliest television work includes appearances on the Beverly Garland crime drama Decoy and The Phil Silvers Show. From 1959–63, he appeared in four episodes of Naked City. Lewis' first well-known television role was as Officer Leo Schnauser on the NBC sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? from 1961–63, also starring Fred Gwynne (Lewis reprised the role in the 1994 movie of the same name). In the series, Lewis first played Al Spencer the Auto Body Man in two early first-season episodes before landing the more familiar role of Officer Schnauser. But he is best remembered as "Grandpa" on The Munsters, which ran on CBS from 1964–66.

In 1967, Lewis played the part of Zalto the wizard in the Lost in Space episode, Rocket to Earth. His first role in a movie was as Machine Gun Manny in Pretty Boy Floyd (1960). He had small roles in The World of Henry Orient (1964), They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), They Might Be Giants (1971). He appeared as Hanging Judge Harrison in Used Cars (1980) and had a minor role in Married to the Mob (1988). His last film role was in Night Terror (2002).

Actor14 films

The Munsters: Family Portrait

The Munsters: Family Portrait

Grandpa

2008
Night Terror

Night Terror

Father Hanlon

2002
Here Come the Munsters

Here Come the Munsters

Restaurant Guest

1995
My Grandpa Is a Vampire

My Grandpa Is a Vampire

Vernon Cooger

1992
Fright House

Fright House

Captain Levi

1989
Grampa’s Monster Movies

Grampa’s Monster Movies

Grampa

1988
Grampa Presents Carnival Of Souls

Grampa Presents Carnival Of Souls

Grampa

1988
The Munsters' Revenge

The Munsters' Revenge

Grandpa

1981
Death Wish

Death Wish

Guard at Hotel Lobby (uncredited)

1974 4.0
The Mini-Munsters

The Mini-Munsters

Grandpa

1973
The Night Strangler

The Night Strangler

Tramp

1973
Munster, Go Home!

Munster, Go Home!

Grandpa Munster

1966
Marineland Carnival: The Munsters Visit Marineland

Marineland Carnival: The Munsters Visit Marineland

Grandpa Munster

1965
Lust of the Vampire

Lust of the Vampire

Assistant (uncredited)

1957