Meal with a Munster

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For some actors, typecasting and old age can be real roadblocks, but not for AI Lewis. The 77-year old veteran, best known as Grampa on The Munsters (1964-66) and Officer Leo Schnauser on Car 54, Where Are You? ('61-63), recently starred in Coinic Cabby, a made-for-video release from Vestron, and has launched another career as the owner of a New York restaurant calledyou guessed it!-Grampa's. The menu of pasta, fish and chicken (no red meat) is for the health-conscious., the eatery's initial appeal, however, is for Munsters fans. 

 

Lewis says 99 percent of the first-timers come because of the TV connection but return for the food. "I'm beyond famous, I'm a cult," he remarks, noting that The Munsters is still seen in 44 countries. The actor plans to franchise his restaurant in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. "What's the difference between selling a ticket for a show and selling a ticket for a restaurant? If people like a show, they applaud and tell friends. If they like the food, it's the same thing. They come back." 

 

Video Sept 1987

 

ORIGINAL (Unedited) VERSION

 

To some, typecasting and old age can be a road block. Not to Al Lewis. At 77 , the erstwhile actor, best. known as Grampa on the 22-year-old video series The Munsters, has begun a new career as the owner of a New York restaurant called - what else? - Grampa's. The menu of pasta, fish, and chicken (no red meat) is for the health conscious, however t.he eatery's initial appeal is for  Munsters fans. Lewis says 99 percent of the first-timers come because of the TV connection but return for the food. "I'm beyond famous, I'm a cult," remarks Lewis, who notes that the show is still seen in 44 countries. The actor plans to franchise his restaurant in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, but scoffs at suggestions that this is a new turn in his career. "What;s the difference between selling a ticket for a show and selling a ticket for a restaurant? If people like a show, they applaud and  tell friends. If they like the food, it's the same thing. They come back." Can an Addams Family catering service be far behind?

 

Written c. July 1987