Interview with Butch Patrick: Eddie Talks 'Munsters' & Rob Zombie's Upcoming Remake

Best known for his role as Eddie Munster in the quirky ’60s sitcom The Munsters, Butch Patrick made his mark in horror at an early age. To this day, he keeps The Munsters alive by co-hosting YTA Network’s Macabre Theatre, connecting with fans on his Koach to Koast Youtube Channel and signing autographs at conventions. I recently caught up with Butch at Days of the Dead Indianapolis where he reminisced on the iconic TV show and teased about Rob Zombie’s upcoming Munsters remake announced earlier this year.

Butch Patrick as Eddie Munster on *The Munsters*

Scifi.Radio: Hi, Butch! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at Days of the Dead. Last year was a crazy time to say the least. How did you spend quarantine?

Butch Patrick: I got lucky! I went out to visit my sister in Manhattan Beach Florida on March 13. And on March 16, three days after I arrived, they locked the state down. Luckily for me, my sister has a guest room, her dog likes me and she’s four blocks from the beach!

Scifi.Radio: Nice! There are much worse places where you could be stuck (laughs).

Butch Patrick: (laughs) Yep!

Scifi.Radio: You’re best known for your role as Eddie Munster. How did you get involved with the iconic TV show?

Butch Patrick: I started working in the 1960s prior to The Munsters with the two shows General Hospital and The Real McCoys. During casting of The Munsters, they had actually hired Happy Derman for the part. But the network didn’t like Happy and they didn’t like Joan Marshall. So they recast Yvonne De Carlo as Lily and they needed a new kid. I was living with my grandmother in Illinois at the time and my agent convinced the network to fly me in for a screen test. I went directly from the airport to the studio. I put on the makeup, we did a screen test and they said “don’t go home, make arrangements and report to work!”

Scifi.Radio: Hired on the spot! You can’t beat that. What are some of your favorite memories from set?

*Munsters* photo autographed by Butch Patrick at Days of the Dead

Butch Patrick: My favorite memories are from when I explored the back lot of Universal and the studio in my free time. I enjoyed going to the laboratory and seeing what Mike Westmore was making. And I enjoyed going to see my uncle John supply horses to the three westerns Laredo, Wagon Train and The Virginian.

Scifi.Radio: That sounds like an exciting time! I’m sure you’ve heard the news of Rob Zombie’s plans to remake The Munsters. Do you have any thoughts and opinions on this development?

Butch Patrick: He is!? Wait a minute. Rob Zombie’s making a Munsters movie!? (laughs) Yes, I have thoughts on it. I have really good thoughts on it. I’m very excited and I’m very happy! I think he’s the guy for the job. He’s a huge fan of the show, he’s a great filmmaker and a great musician. So, I think he’ll do it justice. I think people are worried and concerned for no reason, because he is a professional. I’ve seen some of the artwork and I feel confident the film is going to be great!

Scifi.Radio: That’s great to hear! Will you be involved at all on any level?

Butch Patrick: A little bit. There’s a lot going on there I cannot discuss, but there will be a little surprise for fans. There will be a small Butch Patrick presence in the movie.

Scifi.Radio: That’s exciting news! Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to mention?

Butch Patrick: Sure! There’s a couple things. I’ve been co-hosting Macabre Theatre on YTA Network with horror hostess Ivonna Cadaver for the last 20 years or so. I also have Toy Scouts, which is a new American Pickers-esque show featuring nothing but collectable toys, and I have my Koach to Koast Youtube channel. And then in conjunction with Rob Zombie’s Munsters remake I’m firing up all things Munsters, a new Youtube channel featuring everything Munsters!