Al Lewis
Known for Acting · 66 credits
- Born
- 1923-04-30
- Died
- 2006-02-03
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
- Also known as
- Albert Lewis
Biography
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).
Lewis was a recurring guest on The Howard Stern Show. In 1987, during a "Howard Stern Freedom Rally" against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that was broadcast live, Lewis repeatedly shouted "F*** the FCC!" until Stern was able to take the microphone away from him. Stern and the station were not punished for Lewis' comments.
Unlike some actors, Lewis did not mind being typecast. He enjoyed acting out his "Grandpa" character—in the original costume—and got a surprising amount of mileage from such a short-lived role. "Why not?" he said. "It pays the bills."
Known For
TV Shows (20)
Love, American Style
1969
American Experience
1988
as Self
Green Acres
1965
as Charlie
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
Taxi
1978
as Security Guard
Naked City
1958
as Mr. Pike / Gus / Mr. Tanner / Mr. Carrari
Lost in Space
1965
as Zalto
Route 66
1960
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
1964
as Harry Whipple
Night Gallery
1970
as Mishkin (segment "Make Me Laugh")
Here's Lucy
1968
as Mr. Barker
The Munsters
1964
as Grandpa
The United States Steel Hour
1953
Decoy
1957
as Chi Chi
The Phil Silvers Show
1955
as Bruno the Mobster
Baseball
1994
as Various (voice)
Car 54, Where Are You?
1961
as Officer Leo Schnauser
Best of the West
1981
Hi Honey, I'm Home!
1991
Super Scary Saturday
1988
as Grampa / Host
Movies (46)
Death Wish
1974
as Guard at Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
Used Cars
1980
as Judge Harrison
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
1969
as Turkey
Married to the Mob
1988
as Joe Russo
Coonskin
1975
as The Godfather (voice) (uncredited)
The Boatniks
1970
as Bert
Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy
2001
as Self
Here Come the Munsters
1995
as Restaurant Guest
The World of Henry Orient
1964
as Store Owner
They Might Be Giants
1971
as Messenger
Munster, Go Home!
1966
as Grandpa Munster
The Munsters: Family Portrait
2008
as Grandpa
Car 54, Where Are You?
1994
as Leo Schnauzer
The Night Strangler
1973
as Tramp
My Grandpa Is a Vampire
1992
as Vernon Cooger
Fast Money
1996
as Poon
The Munsters' Revenge
1981
as Grandpa
Ring of Passion
1978
as Mike Jacobs
Coney Island
1991
as Self - Actor
South Beach Academy
1996
as Uncle Gene
Bum Rap
1988
as Mr. Wolfstadt
Fright House
1989
as Captain Levi
The Munsters: America's First Family of Fright
2004
as self
Midnight Blue, Vol. 3: Celebrities Edition
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Ramones: Raw
2004
as Self
Midnight Blue: Vol. 5: Porn King
2006
Pretty Boy Floyd
1960
as Machine Gun Manny
Howard Stern's U.S. Open Sores
1989
as Himself
Lust of the Vampire
1957
as Assistant (uncredited)
Black Starlet
1974
as Sam Sharp
Save the Dog!
1988
Auto-Tune the Munsters: A Rock Opera
2015
as Grandpa Munster (archive footage)
Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa
2000
as Self
White House Madness
1975
as Judge Cirrhosis
Night Terror
2002
as Father Hanlon
Porn King: The Trials Of Al Goldstein
2005
Marineland Carnival: The Munsters Visit Marineland
1965
as Grandpa Munster
The Mini-Munsters
1973
as Grandpa
Grampa's Silly Scaries
1988
as Grampa
Goodbye, America
2007
as Himself
Al Lewis in the Flesh
1993
Grampa's More Silly Scaries
1989
as Grampa
Comic Cabby
1987
Grampa's Sci-Fi Hits
1989
as Grampa
Grampa’s Monster Movies
1988
as Grampa
Grampa Presents Carnival Of Souls
1988
as Grampa
About Al Lewis
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 Mo… With 66 credits spanning from 1953 to 2015, Al Lewis has appeared in 46 films and 20 TV shows.
Fans searching for Al Lewis movies, Al Lewis filmography, or the latest projects starring Al Lewis can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Al Lewis Movies
- Death Wish (1974) — as Guard at Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Used Cars (1980) — as Judge Harrison
- They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) — as Turkey
- Married to the Mob (1988) — as Joe Russo
- Coonskin (1975) — as The Godfather (voice) (uncredited)
Where to Watch Al Lewis Films
Most Al Lewis movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Al Lewis, check our movies catalogue and browse page.