Al Lewis
Birthday:
30 April 1923, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name:
Alexander Meister
Height:
183 cm
In the late 1920s, Lewis worked as a circus performer, but ultimately decided on college, earning a Ph.D. in child psychology from Columbia University. He taught school and wrote two children's books. In 1949, at the suggestion of a friend, Lewis turned to acting and joined the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop in New York. Lewis worked in burle...
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In the late 1920s, Lewis worked as a circus performer, but ultimately decided on college, earning a Ph.D. in child psychology from Columbia University. He taught school and wrote two children's books. In 1949, at the suggestion of a friend, Lewis turned to acting and joined the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop in New York. Lewis worked in burlesque and vaudeville theaters across the country, which eventually led to Broadway. By the 1950s, television was booming, and Lewis took advantage of the work appearing on almost every live show out of his home base of New York City. His most famous regular TV roles were Officer Leo Schnauser on Car 54, Where Are You? (1961) and Grandpa on The Munsters (1964). When these shows ended, he opened a restaurant in New York called "Grampa's" in Greenwich Village. He has since produced a home video for children and appeared on WTBS in a series of Saturday morning programs for children. Show less «
[When asked what accomplishment he is proudest of] My three sons.
[When asked what accomplishment he is proudest of] My three sons.
[on working with Robert Zemeckis on Used Cars (1980)] That kid couldn't direct traffic.
[on working with Robert Zemeckis on Used Cars (1980)] That kid couldn't direct traffic.
[on his most famous role, Grandpa Munster] The role of Grandpa is not complicated because you're wearing odd makeup or bizarre costumes. Tha...Show more »
[on his most famous role, Grandpa Munster] The role of Grandpa is not complicated because you're wearing odd makeup or bizarre costumes. That's not what complicates a role. What makes Grandpa a little odd is the fact that he had no prototype. When I approached this role, I knew that whatever I was doing was original. So no director could say to me, "Listen, remember how he did it, this is how I want it done." I worked very hard creating that character. I made those lines work. The walk and the posture all fit the character. As to the character itself, you might say that Grandpa was a kind of Dracula-type Major Hoople. Show less «
[asked about being typecast as Grandpa Munster] Why would I mind? It pays my mortgage.
[asked about being typecast as Grandpa Munster] Why would I mind? It pays my mortgage.
Al Lewis's Photos
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Judge H. H. Harrison
Grandpa
