Fred Gwynne Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family
Frederick Hubbard "Fred" Gwynne (July 10, 1926 – July 2, 1993) was an American actor. Gwynne was best known for his roles in the 1960s sitcoms Car 54, Where Are You? and as Frankenstein type character Herman Munster in The Munsters, as well as his later roles in Pet Sematary, The Cotton Club and My Cousin Vinny. He was recognized for his distinctive baritone voice.
Full Name
Fred Gwynne
Net Worth
$19 Million
Date Of Birth
July 10, 1926
Died
July 2, 1993, Taneytown, Maryland, United States
Death Cause
Pancreatic cancer
Place Of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Height
1.96 m
Occupation
Actor
Profession
Writer, Actor, Painter, Singer, Illustrator
Education
Harvard University, Groton School
Nationality
American
Spouse
Deborah Flater (m. 1988–1993), Jean Reynard (m. 1952–1980)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, TV Land Most Uninsurable Driver Award, TV Land Favorite Crimestopper Duo Award
Movies
Pet Sematary, My Cousin Vinny, Munster, Go Home!, Fatal Attraction, Ironweed, The Cotton Club, The Munsters' Revenge, Disorganized Crime, The Littlest Angel, The Boy Who Could Fly, The Secret of My Success, Shadows and Fog, So Fine, The Christmas Star, Murder by the Book, Luna, Paradise Lost, Water,...
TV Shows
The Munsters, Car 54, Where Are You?, Kane & Abel
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Trademark
1
Towering height and slender frame
2
Characters who often spend much of their time frowning
3
Best known for his iconic role as Herman Munster on The Munsters (1964)
4
Deep commanding voice
#
Quote
1
[on his most famous role, 1979]: Funny thing, yesterday morning I found my youngest son and daughter watching the rerun of an old (The Munsters (1964)) episode and I said, "My God, THAT'S not still on, is it?" Well, even so, I was very lucky and it was great fun to be as much of a household product as something like Rinso. I almost wish I could do it all over again.
#
Fact
1
Second wife was over 20 years his junior.
2
When NBC approached him to reprise his role of Herman Munster for a 1981 TV movie The Munsters' Revenge (1981), Gwynne was initially not interested. However, his second wife suggested that he ask the network for a large paycheck which they will probably refuse. However, when NBC surprisingly agreed to his demands, he accepted the role.
3
Five children with Jean Reynard (Foxy Gwynne): three sons Evan Gwynne, Dylan Gwynne (died in 1963, drowned in the family pool) and Keiron Gwynne (born mentally handicapped). Two daughters - Madyn Gwynne and Gaynor Gwynne.
4
In 1964, along with Al Lewis and the Munstermobile (with car designer George Barris at the controls), he appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
5
Was featured/parodied in Playboy's Little Annie Fanny (The Unhappy Comic - April 1963) as Freddy (Annie served as a kind of "visual relief" on-stage), and represented by Annie's agent, Solly, a recurring character based upon Phil Silvers.
6
Was originally under consideration for the part of Henry Warnimont on Punky Brewster (1984) until a casting director referred to him as Herman Munster, instead of his real name. An offended Gwynne abruptly withdrew from consideration and George Gaynes wound up with the part.
7
Worked as a salesman at Seal Lock Burial Vault, Forest Hills, New York in the early 1950s (The McCloskey family later changed this Woodhaven Boulevard business into a florist shop, still operating in 2007.).
8
Was a member of the Harvard a cappella group, the Krokodiloes.
9
In his most popular post-The Munsters (1964) role, that of Judge Chamberlain Haller in My Cousin Vinny (1992), one of the sight gags is that the good judge looms a full foot taller than his antagonist, Vinny Gambini, as played by Joe Pesci.
10
Herman Munster, Gwynne's character on The Munsters (1964), was ranked #19 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
11
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 199-200. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.
12
By choice, never part of the Hollywood or Broadway social whirl, Gwynne lived a quiet life in suburban Bedford, New York and, after his second marriage, in a renovated farmhouse in rural Taneytown, Maryland. Most who knew him described him as a good friend and neighbour who liked to keep his personal and professional lives separate.
13
Between 1975 and 1982, he appeared in 79 episodes of "The CBS Radio Mystery Theatre".
14
In addition to acting, Gwynne was the talented author and illustrator of several popular children's books, including "A Chocolate Moose for Dinner", "The King Who Rained" and "A Little Pigeon Toad".
15
Performed in Harvard's famous drag troupe Hasty Pudding Theatricals from 1949-1951. Harvard University Class of 1951 Performed in Harvard's famous Hasty Pudding drag revue from 1949-1950.
