At just 15 years old in 1942, Fred Gwynne forged his mother's signature to enlist early in the Navy during World War II.

He served as a radioman aboard the submarine chaser USS Manville in the Pacific Theater, contributing to patrols and invasions like those at Saipan and Tinian.

Following his honorable discharge, he pursued higher education at Harvard University, graduating in 1951 while honing his skills as a cartoonist for the Harvard Lampoon, singer with the Krokodiloes, and actor in theatrical productions.

Gwynne transitioned into a successful career as a character actor, starting with Broadway roles and early TV appearances. His breakthrough came as the gentle giant Officer Francis Muldoon opposite Joe E. Ross in the sitcom "Car 54, Where Are You?, followed by his unforgettable portrayal of Herman Munster in "The Munsters," where his 6'5" frame and comedic flair made him a TV icon.

Beyond acting, Gwynne was a gifted author and illustrator, creating whimsical children's books like "A Chocolate Moose for Dinner," "The King Who Rained," and "A Little Pigeon Toad," often inspired by playful misunderstandings of language.

His final on-screen role was the pitch-perfect Judge Chamberlain Haller in the 1992 comedy classic "My Cousin Vinny," opposite Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei—a stern Southern judge whose deadpan delivery stole scenes and cemented his legacy in film.

Fred Gwynne was an an American original & Greatest Generation hero!