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FRED
GWYNNE TRIBUTE
by
Butch Patrick
On July 2, 1993, my friend and TV Dad, Fred
Gwynne passed away. Twenty-nine years earlier I was lucky enough to
be cast in a TV Show titled, oddly enough, The Munsters...
Fred would play a lovable Frankenstein Monster and me his only son,
Eddie...Not only did Fred help me with my acting, he also taught me
how to keep an even balance between work and play. Fred was quite
the prankster. Once I remember he drove the entire cast off the lot
in the family car, the Munster Koach. When we returned, everyone was
still waiting patiently. The people we saw on Hollywood Freeway were
definitely shocked at the sight of all of us in full make up! Even
with his forty pounds of padding and ultra hot makeup, Fred still
carried the show.
He was a fine actor who was successful in all forms of the theatre. His
credits include movies, On the Waterfront, Cotton Club, Pet
Cemetery, The Secret of my Success, and My Cousin Vinny.
On TV's Car 54 Where Are You?, Fred was a big hit. His voice was heard on
TV as a spokesman for numerous companies. The best memories I have
are simple ones on the set. Running lines, going to lunch, posing
with the hundreds of guests we had on the set. What's really funny
is the feeling I get when an episode of the Munsters is on and I see
how strong and fresh his character is, and how timeless his
portrayal is after more than 30 years. Wow, has it really been 3
decades!
Well, in closing, I'd like to say how much we all loved Fred... How lucky
I was to share the TV screen with him, but how much his teachings
have affected my life.
So long ole friend! I hope to see you in another life...
God bless you,
Butch Patrick |
