Although actor Fred Gwynne was born into privilege, his life before Herman Munster was often anything but easy. As documented by Biography, tragedy ripped the Gwynne family apart when Fred’s father died after a routine sinus operation. Eight-year-old Gwynne was devastated by the sudden loss.

A few years later, a sudden growth spurt would isolate Gwynne from his adolescent peers, making puberty, already an awkward time, even more difficult. With the support of his mother, the gangly teen made it through to become a popular, outgoing student who excelled in art and drama.

After graduating high school, Gwynne enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a radio operator on a submarine chaser during World War II, according to the New York Times. The stress and constant beeping of Morse Code took a toll on Gwynne, and he once broke down in tears in front of his captain, who relieved him of radio duty.

In the 1950s, Gwynne began working as an actor on stage and television while juggling a second career as a copywriter for an ad agency. In 1961, he made his big breakthrough as Officer Frances Muldoon on the cop comedy “Car 54, Where Are You?” However, just as Gwyne was settling into his success and enjoying family life with his wife and four children, his youngest son Dylan drowned in the family pool. While still dealing with his grief, he got word that “Car 54” was canceled and fell deeper into depression.