The Obituary: TV, MOVIE, STAGE ACTOR FRED GWYNNE DIES AT 66

Fred Gwynne, 66, an actor whose Lincolnesque appearance delighted audiences of television's "Car 54, Where Are You?" and "The Munsters," died of cancer July 2 at his home in Taneytown, Md.

Mr. Gwynne, who appeared recently as the judge in the movie "My Cousin Vinny," began his career with the Broadway production of "Mrs. McThing" with Helen Hayes in 1952. He went on to alternate between stage, screen and television for the next 40 years.

Among other plays he appeared in were "Love's Labours Lost," a revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Our Town" and "Hamlet." He won an Obie award, the off-Broadway equivalent of the Tony awards, in 1979 for "Grand Magic." He last appeared on Broadway in "Whoodunnit" in 1983.

Mr. Gwynne's film career included roles as a mobster in "The Cotton Club," a thief in "Disorganized Crime," a co-worker of Michael Douglas in "Fatal Attraction" and a curmudgeon in "Pet Sematery."

He also wrote and illustrated children's books and did voice work for commercials. Among his books were "The Story of Ick," 1971; "A Chocolate Moose for Dinner," 1976; and "A Little Pigeon Toad," 1988.

His two 1960s television series each lasted just two seasons but have had a long life in reruns and in viewers' memories.

He played Officer Francis Muldoon in "Car 54, Where Are You?" as one of a pair of New York policemen. Joe E. Ross was his short, chubby partner, Officer Gunther Toody. The show ran on NBC from 1961 to 1963. The following year, he began a run as Herman Munster in "The Munsters," playing a comic Frankenstein's monster in the popular CBS series.

In a 1982 interview, Mr. Gwynne was asked about his favorite roles over the years. He mentioned characters such as Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" as well as other serious plays. Then he paused.

"And I might as well tell you the truth. I love old Herman Munster," he said. "Much as I try not to, I can't stop liking that fellow."

Frederick Hubbard Gwynne was born July 10, 1926, in New York, the son of a stockbroker. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and attended Harvard University.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Gwynne, and four children.

The Recap:

Welcome to another edition of the Sunday Obits & Eats! Since it's October I thought it would be a good excuse to revisit some of the spookier friendly faces from our childhood! Although, anyone who has seen The Munsters knows that the awkward and goofy Herman Munster was far from ghoulish. He was at times childish and naive, never understanding why people were terrified of him. He was a loving father and devoted husband. He also-appropriately-worked in a funeral home where his strength helped lift caskets with ease. So, how did it come to be that one of the most recognizable faces in the macabre world of death and television come to be buried in an unmarked grave in Finksburg, Maryland?

Well, I wish I had a creepy sordid answer but my guess is that Gwynne's resting place in Sandy Mount United Methodist Church Cemetery simply remained unmarked due to the family wishing to take their time before placing a headstone on the grave, or wishing to wait until his wife Deborah joined him.

Gwynne enjoyed a mild success with a few other acting roles after the Munsters but shaking his image as a giant Frankenstein monster was difficult. In a New York Times article published in 1978 Gwynne discusses the horrible residual deal he has with The Munsters and finding happiness working in the theatre back home in New York. Perhaps one of the most amusing parts from the article is Gwynne discussing how he was sitting next Fay Wray, another victim of type casting, and he felt comfortable enough to open up to her about his woes of not find work, and she replied casually, "Honey you've got 'The Munsters' and I've got 'King Kong' we're both in the same boat. We can't live with it and we can't live without it." Gwynne credited that to what kept him going.

The recipe I've chosen to accompany today's obit is inspired by 'A Chocolate Moose For Dinner' which is one of Gwynne's books he wrote and illustrated.

The Recipe: Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients

1 can coconut milk or cream
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp dutch cocoa powder or additional regular
3-4 tbsp powdered sugar or erythritol (or 2 tbsp for extra dark)
optional 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
optional 2-3 tbsp peanut butter

Directions

Either refrigerate the coconut milk can overnight, or open and freeze about 10 minutes. (I store a can in the fridge so there’s always one ready to go. Be sure to use full-fat canned coconut milk for this recipe. Try not to shake the can, because you want the cream separate from the water underneath.)Once cold, open the can and transfer only the thick part to a bowl. Discard the watery part, or save for another recipe. Using either a stand mixer or hand beaters (or a fork and a ton of strength and patience), whip the cream until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and whip until it forms a mousse-like texture.