America couldn’t get enough of The Munsters’ frighteningly charming Lily, but the woman who brought her to life, Yvonne De Carlo, had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the character. It’s a fascinating story that shows how an actress can become synonymous with a role while still battling self-doubt and personal challenges.
Struggling to Embrace Her Role
Yvonne De Carlo, the actress behind the iconic Lily Munster, initially struggled with the character. “When the show started, I could barely look at myself in a mirror with that makeup,” she confessed. “And I would be appalled when people recognized me without it.” But as the show went on, Yvonne began to see the impact her character had on fans, especially young ones. “I’d read my fan mail from little kids who would write, ‘You are the most beautiful-est vampire I have ever seen,’ and I’d feel good. Almost,” she said with a chuckle. It was a journey of acceptance and growth, both personally and professionally.
A Career That Shone Before The Munsters
The Munsters, which aired from 1964 to 1966, was a pivotal point in Yvonne’s career, but it wasn’t her first rodeo. Throughout the 1940s and ’50s, she had graced the silver screen in dozens of films, including the epic The Ten Commandments in 1956. Despite her early success, by the 1960s, Yvonne found herself struggling to find work. Pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark reflects, “She was a talented lady and quite beautiful. But she often seemed hired to smolder, like a prop rather than as a fully developed character.”
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Personal Challenges Amid Career Success
Before The Munsters, Yvonne faced not only career struggles but also personal challenges. Her husband, stuntman Robert Morgan, suffered a life-threatening accident in 1962 while filming How the West Was Won. He lost his leg and nearly his life when he was run over by a train. This accident brought the couple closer together. Yvonne recalled, “Before the accident, we were on the verge of breaking up, but when they took me to the hospital … I just choked up and only one thought filled my mind: I don’t want my husband to die.” The couple, who had three children, stayed together until 1973, overcoming the financial burdens of medical bills.
Life After The Munsters
Though Lily Munster left a lasting impression, Yvonne didn’t stop there. In 1971, she made a splash on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, delivering a powerful performance of the survivor’s anthem “I’m Still Here.” Yvonne continued acting into the 1990s, proving that her talent wasn’t confined to one role. Author Frank DeCaro notes, “Despite everything she did, people know her for just a couple of roles. But because she hit those home runs so spectacularly, it’s enough for her to be in your heart forever.”
— Ed Gross
For more on this story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.
