Beverly Owen of “The Munsters” Dies at 81

Beverly Owen, the actress who originally played Marilyn in The Munsters passed away on February 21 after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Owen was surrounded by friends and family at her home in Vermont. We’re told the late actress was diagnosed in January 2017 and had kept it private.

Fellow cast member Butch Patrick, known for playing little Eddie Munster on the show, shared his condolences on Facebook. He said, “Beautiful Beverley Owen has left us. What a sweet soul. I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes.”

The Iowa-native left the role of Marilyn after just one season to marry writer and producer, Jon Stone. They were married for nearly a decade and share two daughters, Polly and Kate. 

Pat Priest took over for Beverley and starred as Marilyn for the remainder of the series. 

The University of Michigan graduate’s first TV gig was in As the World Turns back in 1956. Owen also appeared on other well-known shows, including The Doctors, Kraft Mystery Theater, Wagon Train, The Virginian, Another World and Bullet for a Badman before earning stardom on The Munsters.