It is always sad when we hear about one of the actors or actresses that played a part in our childhood has passed away. For those of us who remember the television show, The Munsters, today is one of those days. The show played in the 1960s but it has played on reruns for many years. Beverly Owen, the woman who played Marilyn on the show has now died at the age of 81.
Butch Patrick, the actor who played Eddie Munster took to Facebook to break the sad news to the world. He didn’t give a cause of death, but he did confirm the fact that she had passed away. He said: “Beautiful Beverly Owen has left us. What a sweet soul. I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes.”
Beverly Owen was born on May 13, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa as Beverly Ogg. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and is perhaps best known as her role as the original Marilyn Munster. Prior to playing that role, she played in a number of other movies and television shows. They included The Doctors (1963) and the Virginian (1964).
When She married writer and producer Jon Stone, she left The Munsters. They were married seven years and had two children together. At that time, Pat Priest played in the final 57 episodes until it ended. In the 1966 theatrical film, Munster, Go Home! Debbie Watson played the part.
Owen retired from acting after playing the part in The Munsters and went back to get her Masters degree in early American history. She received her degree in 1989.
The Munsters ran from 1964-1966 and it followed the life of a family of monsters. It was a satire of traditional monster movies and the wholesome family shows that seemed to be popular at that time. Owen’s character was somewhat of an outcast because she wasn’t a monster like the rest of the family.
The Munsters and the Adams family ran concurrently, but The Munsters was more popular.v
Beverley Owen is survived by her daughters, Polly and Kate. There is no official word on the memorial services.
You can watch Owen in this season opener from The Munsters:
