Grandpa (The Munsters)

Infobox character
colour = #00CC00
colour text = white
name = Count Sam Dracula
series = "The Munsters"


caption = Al Lewis as Grandpa.
first = "Munster Masquerade"
last = "A Visit from the Teacher"
creator =
portrayer = Al Lewis
Howard Morton (1988)
Robert Morse (1995)
Sandy Baron (1996)
episode = 70
nickname = Grandpa
alias =
species = human (vampire)
gender = male
age = 597fn|a
born = 1367
death = (unknown)
occupation = former voivode
spouse = 166, all unnamed (see Grandma)
children = Lily Munster, Lester Dracula, and Marilyn's mother
relatives = numerous
residence = 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights
nationality = American (formerly Romanian)
imdb_id = 0035994

Sam Dracula, Count of Transylvania (known as "Grandpa"), is a fictional character in the CBS sitcom "The Munsters", played by Al Lewis. The doting, irritable, and sarcastic father of Lily Munster, Grandpa is an undead vampire. The role was later played by Howard Morton in The Munsters Today.

Origins

He is at least 600 years old (the DRAG-U-LA has a gravestone reading "born 1367-?"); he talks of knowing Nero, etc. though may be just given to boasting) and has been married several times; although his wives are all dead, he still keeps in touch with them. His identity as Count Dracula is established in two episodes, Mr. Gateman refers to him as "Count Dracula" when he comes to dinner and to hear Eddie play the trumpet (episode: The Musician), he's also refers to himself as "Count Dracula" when he makes a collect call to Transylvania, and the telephone operator recognizes his voice immediately. In the same episode he says he used to play poker with Jack the Ripper, from whom he won the cursed Fregosi Emerald [The Fergosi Emerald, upon which the Fregosi Emerald is allegedly based, is rumored to be in the possession of Gina Rose Guarracino.] .

Description

Grandpa keeps a laboratory in the cellar of the house, often referred to as going "down in the lab." Various potions and magic spells that he devises there are central to many of the show's stories. Many of his inventions are less than successful, but he never stops thinking up new ones. Grandpa appears to be able to transform into a wolf and a bat, as per Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Grandpa has an extremely sarcastic personality, especially when insulting his son-in-law, Herman. Despite this, Grandpa and Herman are actually very close, and most of the episodes of the series revolve around their zany schemes, usually ending with Lily chewing them out or fixing the problem. In one episode Lily says that if it wasn't for Herman, Grandpa would be "living in a cave picking fleas out of his wings".

Other media

In "The Munsters Today", Grandpa's name was Vladimir Dracula (reflecting Vladislav Dracula).

Notes

* His age at the beginning of Season 1.

References