Robert Francis Hastings was an American radio, film, and TV actor who began his early path to show business as a boy singer on various radio shows such as “Doug Gray’s Singing Gang” and “Coast to Coast on a Bus.” Hastings also did voice-over work for various animated cartoons. The multi-talented actor was notable for his depiction of the irritating suck-up character, Lt. Elroy Carpenter, in the movie “McHale’s Navy.”
He also did additional voice-over work as a substitute for Mel Blanc, who played the main voice of The Raven on “The Munsters.” Apparently, Blanc was overly preoccupied with the numerous different voice acting stints that he worked on during the time. It’s hard to condemn the man, though, as it made perfect sense to voice the popular Bugs Bunny over a raven that suddenly comes out from a clock for just two or three seconds on every episode.
Beverley Owen Then
Marilyn Munster resided with the Munster family for the entire duration of the show for reasons that were never really explained in clarity. Marilyn’s vampire parents were revealed to have hailed from Transylvania. For the rest of the Munsters, though, her “typical” appearance was brought about by some type of horrible condition.
In reality, Beverley Owen was only able to portray the character of Marilyn Munster from episodes 1 to 13. After she left the TV series, Owen quit acting entirely. The American actress was cut off from "The Munsters" following a prolonged depression after she and her boyfriend broke up. Owen just couldn’t stop crying during the filming of the show, resulting in interruptions during its production.
Beverley Owen Now
Following a short stint with "The Munsters" during its initial episodes, Beverley Owen tied the knot with the show’s writer and producer, Joe Stone. In due course, Owen starred in the western "Bullet for a Badman" (1964) with the role of Audie Murphy. The actress would then appear for a couple of years on the TV series "Another World," starting from 1971.
After her performance with "Another World," Beverley Owen would retire from the TV screens and focus her career in theatre, performing with the Cambridge Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, New York. She then mothered two beautiful girls and has obtained a master’s degree in 1989. The American actress sadly passed away at 81 years old in 2019.
Farewell Munsters!
Prior to the show’s termination after just a couple of seasons, the cast of "The Munsters" filmed a television movie called "Munster, Go Home!" In the movie, Herman Munster inherited a considerable amount of wealth as well as a mansion that he got from an uncle who lived as an Earl in England.
After Herman was given the massive fortune, the Munster family would then travel to the United Kingdom only to uncover a counterfeiting scheme. TV viewers appreciated the movie since it didn’t attempt to do too much nor strayed away from the show’s original theme. It was simply longer and had a more complex plot, and this time was shot in color!
Fred Gwynne Then
Even though he appeared large and frightening, Herman Munster was actually an adorable and gentle clown who couldn’t hurt a fly. Despite being the patriarch of the Munster monster family and centuries-old, he typically behaves like a young boy. Herman had a tendency to go into a tantrum which was depicted with an animal-like moan.
Herman Munster was also an affectionate and dedicated father and is quite prone to get lured into parlor tricks and feeble schemes. The character was portrayed by Fred Gwynne and is possibly the American actor’s most prominent role. There are even those who believe that Gwynne’s performance was the reason why "The Munsters" gained such a level of success.