Al Lewis

Actor
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his hour-and-a-half interview, Al Lewis (1910-2006) talks about his career as a traveling medicine salesman and working at various radio stations. He discusses his early career in television and the types of characters he played, and shares a very memorable experience eating lunch with John Wayne on the lot at Universal. He recalls his time on the classic sitcom, Car 54, Where Are You? as "Officer Leo Schnauser." He talks about co-stars Fred Gwynne, Charlotte Rae, and Joe E. Ross, and speaks of various character roles he played throughout his career, including his part in the Academy Award-winning feature film, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? with Gig Young and Jane Fonda. He recalls his iconic role as "Grandpa" on The Munsters, again starring with Gwynne, along with Yvonne DeCarlo, Butch Patrick and Beverly Owen. He concludes by summing up his career and offering advice to aspiring actors. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 25, 2002 at the New York Palace Hotel in New York, NY. 

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"My mother used to say to me, 'the most wonderful pillow that you can ever sleep on is the one that's filled with beautiful memories.' That's what I have. I go to sleep with beautiful memories."

People Talking About ...
Al Lewis
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early life and influences
On his early career in radio and television; on dealing with agents; on the types of characters he played early in his career

Chapter 2
On meeting John Wayne (contd.) and his views on acting careers; on being cast as "Officer Leo Schnauser" on Car 54, Where Are You?
On guest-starring on Lost in Space; on working with Nat Hiken, creator of Car 54, Where Are You?  and being a professional; on the cast of Car 54, Where Are You?

Chapter 3
On his feelings on the series Car 54, Where Are You?;  on being cast as "Grandpa" on and filming the presentation for The Munsters;  on the makeup process for The Munsters
On working with the cast of The Munsters and his favorite memories from the show; on his post-Munsters career and advice to aspiring actors

Chapter 4
On advice to aspiring actors, (contd.)
Shows

Car 54, Where Are You?

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Al Lewis on being cast as "Officer Leo Schnauser" on Car 54, Where Are You?
03:40
Al Lewis on his Car 54, Where Are You? character, "Officer Leo Schnauser" and acting on the show
03:18
Al Lewis on working with Nat Hiken, creator of Car 54, Where Are You? and being a professional
01:39
Al Lewis on his Car 54, Where Are You? co-stars 
01:23
Al Lewis on working with Fred Gwynne as "Officer Francis Muldoon" on Car 54, Where Are You?
01:06
Al Lewis on working with Joe E. Ross as "Officer Gunther Toody" on Car 54, Where Are You?
04:35
Al Lewis on his feelings on the series Car 54, Where Are You?
04:36

Lost in Space

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Al Lewis on guest-starring on Lost in Space
05:03

Munsters, The

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Al Lewis on being cast as "Grandpa" on and filming the presentation for The Munsters
03:20
Al Lewis on his acting process and being a professional
04:12
Al Lewis on the makeup process for The Munsters
02:07
Al Lewis on working with Yvonne DeCarlo as "Lily Munster" on The Munsters  and the longevity of the show
04:54
Al Lewis on his favorite memories of The Munsters and working with Fred Gwynne and Charlotte Rae
02:38
Topics

Advice

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Al Lewis on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23

Television Industry

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Al Lewis on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23
Professions

Actor

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Al Lewis on meeting John Wayne at the Universal commissary and his views on acting careers
09:05
Al Lewis on his acting process and being a professional
04:12
Al Lewis on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23

Performers

View Profession
Al Lewis on meeting John Wayne at the Universal commissary and his views on acting careers
09:05
Al Lewis on his acting process and being a professional
04:12
Al Lewis on advice to an aspiring actor
05:23
Genres

Comedy Series

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Al Lewis on playing "Officer Leo Schnauser" on Car 54, Where Are You?
20:51
Al Lewis on playing "Officer Leo Schnauser" on Car 54, Where Are You? (Part 2)
04:36
Al Lewis on playing "Grandpa" on The Munsters
17:19
People

Charlotte Rae

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Al Lewis on his favorite memories of The Munsters and working with Fred Gwynne and Charlotte Rae
02:38

Fred Gwynne

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Al Lewis on working with Fred Gwynne as "Officer Francis Muldoon" on Car 54, Where Are You?
01:07
Al Lewis on being cast as "Grandpa" on and filming the presentation for The Munsters
03:20
Al Lewis on his favorite memories of The Munsters and working with Fred Gwynne and Charlotte Rae
02:38

Gig Young

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Al Lewis on his acting process and being a professional 
04:12

Joe E. Ross

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Al Lewis on working with Joe E. Ross as "Officer Gunther Toody" on Car 54, Where Are You?
04:35

John Wayne

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Al Lewis on running into John Wayne at the Universal commissary
03:15
Al Lewis on meeting John Wayne at the Universal commissary and Lewis' views on acting careers
09:05

Nat Hiken

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Al Lewis on working with Nat Hiken, creator of Car 54, Where Are You? and being a professional
01:38

Yvonne DeCarlo

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Al Lewis on working with Yvonne DeCarlo as "Lily Munster" on The Munsters  and the longevity of the show
04:54

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