Al Lewis, best known for his characterization of Grandpa Munster on the 60's show The Munsters, has died. Various sources list his age as anywhere from 83 to 95.In addition to his work as an actor, which he began later in life, Lewis was an activist who worked on the defense team of anarchists and alleged bombers Sacco and Vanzetti in the 1920s (they were executed in Boston in 1927) and the Scottsboro Boys, nine black men accused of raping two white women. The latter case resulted in the death penalty for eight of the men, but all were cleared before a trigger was pulled.
In addition, Lewis worked as a circus clown, a teacher, and received his Ed.D. in child psychology from Columbia University. He lost a 1988 gubernatorial bid in New York to George Pataki and was most recently the host of Al Lewis Live, a Pacifica Radio show in New York City.
Lewis also hosted AVN's short-lived Halloween party several years ago. He was described as "wry and salty - not like the mainstream people who usually show up at porn events who seem overwhelmed by naked girls."
A lot of the older people whose experience touches porn look at it through the additional filter of adult entertainment as it regards politics and the First Amendment. Lewis' radio show primarily discussed political issues. Few of today's newer performers know who Traci Lords was, that Larry Flynt took a bullet, that Phil Harvey is first an educator, that porn was once illegal. It's kind of sad, but also kind of unavoidable.
The other night Ron Royster suggested a Vespa-and-beach-fight-based movie called Pornophenia. I felt like a spirit-killer because I said, "no one under 30 will know what you're talking about."
But Al Lewis' life touched many, and he was well-regarded in many circles. Here is a great appreciation from Country Joe McDonald.
Previously: Anna Malle dead at 38
See also: "Grandpa" Al Lewis Runs for Governor of New York
posted by Gram the Man
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Sunday, February 05, 2006 
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