'The Munsters' star Beverley Owen dies at 81

Beverley Owen, the actress who played the original Marilyn Munster on The Munsters, has died at age 81.

Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Beverley Owen and Al Lewis of <em>The Munsters</em> (Photo: Everett Collection)
Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Beverley Owen and Al Lewis of The Munsters (Photo: Everett Collection)

Owen’s daughter, Polly Stone, told TMZ her mother passed away on Feb. 21 after battling ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family at her home in Vermont. The actress was diagnosed with cancer in January 2017, but kept it private.

Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster, reacted to the news over the weekend remembering Owen as a “sweet soul.”

Owen’s brief acting career began in 1956 on an episode of As the World Turns. Appearances on Wagon Train, The Virginian and Another World followed, but it was The Munsters that brought her recognition. She played Marilyn on the beloved series for the first 13 episodes of Season 1, which premiered in 1964. Owen left the role — and Hollywood — to marry the writer and producer Jon Stone. They were together for seven years and had two daughters. She was replaced by the actress Pat Priest for the remainder of the series, which ran until 1966.

Owen is survived by her two daughters, Polly and Kate.

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