This 'The Munsters' Star’s Heroic WWII Service Aboard The USS Manville (PC-581)

Fred Gwynne, known for his iconic roles in The Munsters (1964-66) and Pet Sematary (1989), led a fascinating life that reached far beyond his achievements in film and television. Prior to his acting career, Gwynne served in the US Navy during World War II. This frequently forgotten chapter of his life underscores a man whose impact extended well beyond the realm of entertainment.

Discover the actor's military background before he became a household name.

Fred Gwynne's early life

Fred Gwynne was born in New York City on July 10, 1926. His father, Frederick, was a partner in a security firm, leading to a childhood filled with moving to different cities often. His mother, Dorothy, worked as a comic artist before her marriage, which might have influenced Gwynne's own artistic talents.

Some sources suggest that he started studying portrait painting in the years leading up to World War II . However, he set aside his artistic pursuits to enlist in the US Navy once the United States joined the conflict .

Details about his time in the military are sparse, including the year he enlisted. It seems unlikely he joined immediately after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor , as he would have been just 15 in 1941, though it's possible he may have lied about his age.

Enlisting in the US Navy

It is known that Fred Gwynne served on the submarine-chaser USS Manville (PC-581), which was launched on July 8, 1942. Under the command of Lt. Com. Mark E. Deanett, the Manville was used as an escort and patrol ship throughout the war. Later, she was assigned to the Fifth Amphibious Force for the invasions of Saipan and Tinian in 1944. The Manville also played a role in rescuing two Allied pilots from a crashed Consolidated B-24 Liberator .

However, it remains unclear how much of this Gwynne experienced while serving as a radioman

Fred Gwynne's Hollywood career

After World War II ended, Fred Gwynne utilized the GI Bill to enroll at Harvard University, where he pursued his studies in art. During his time there, he began many of the passions , which included drawing cartoons for the Harvard Lampoon and performing with the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Gwynne's acting career highlighted his exceptional talent and versatility. He is best remembered for his role as Herman Munster in the cherished series, The Munsters , where he showcased remarkable comedic timing and physical comedy skills, solidifying his place in television history. Prior to this, he had taken on several roles, including Francis Muldoon in Car 54, Where Are You? (1961-63), the show that initially brought him recognition.

His next big film role was Pet Sematary

It wasn't until he was cast in Arsenic and Old Lace (1969) that he was able to move forward with his career, getting cast in a handful of stage shows outside the Hollywood spotlight. He was close to being cast as Henry in Punky Brewster (1984-88) until the director called him Herman Munster, not Fred Gwynne.

The actor took on a number of smaller acting roles, but it wasn't until he was cast in Stephen King 's Pet Sematary that he was in another legendary part. His final role was in the 1992 film, My Cousin Vinny .

Fred Gwynne was more than just an actor

Fred Gwynne was far more than just an actor, as he took on a series of diverse side projects. He was a professional singer who continued the passion he'd picked up in university with the a cappella group, the Harvard Krokodiloes.

Later in life, Gwynne was an author-illustrator for children's books . In fact, he wrote an entire series of them based on phrases that children misunderstand, such as A Chocolate Moose for Dinner, The King Who Rained and The Sixteen Hand Horse . They became some of the bestsellers for his publisher.

While he illustrated his own books, Gwynne was also a painter who eventually turned to exhibiting his work in galleries. The first of his shows was in 1989.

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Gwynne lived a diverse life, with an acting career that spanned Hollywood and Broadway, as an author-illustrator and, of course, as a serviceman. He died in his family home on July 2, 1993 from complications of pancreatic cancer.