Al Lewis (born Alexander Meister; April 30, 1923 - February 3, 2006) was an American character actor best known for his role as Grandpa Munster on the 1960s television sitcom The Munsters. He was a second cousin of the later comedian/actor Jerry Lewis.
Lewis was born in New York City, the son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. He attended the City College of New York but left before graduating to pursue a career in acting. He made his Broadway debut in 1941 in a production of Room Service. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to the stage and began appearing in films. He had small parts in many films, including Mamma Roma (1962), The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968) and The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971).
In 1964, Lewis was cast as Grandpa Munster on The Munsters. The show was a huge success and remained on the air until 1966. The show was revived for a one-season run from 1988 to 1989 with Lewis reprising his role.
In his later years, Lewis continued to act, appearing in films and television series such as The Simpsons and Law & Order. He also wrote and directed a number of plays. He was also a political activist, running for governor of New York in 1986 as the candidate of the Green Party.
Lewis died in 2006 at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife Karen, three sons, three daughters, and 11 grandchildren. He was posthumously inducted into the New York Hall of Fame in 2007.
Lewis was a larger-than-life character who was known for his wit and humor. He was an accomplished actor who could play both comedic and dramatic roles. He was also a political activist and successful businessman. His legacy lives on in the many films, television shows, and plays in which he appeared.
