Fred Gwynne's Weight: The Numbers Fans Recall
- 01. Key reported figures
- 02. Contextual background
- 03. Primary sources and how data are compiled
- 04. Detailed data table
- 05. Why reported weights vary
- 06. Historical illustration
- 07. Quoted references
- 08. Practical takeaway for researchers
- 09. Quick facts (timeline-style)
- 10. Example citation-ready line
- 11. Notes on verification
Short answer: Most reputable sources list Fred Gwynne's weight during his acting career at roughly 220-240 pounds (about 100-109 kg), with commonly-cited figures centering near 230 lb (104 kg).
Key reported figures
Contemporary biographies and actor profiles commonly record Fred Gwynne's height as 6 ft 5 in and his working weight as approximately 230 lb (104 kg), a range that appears repeatedly in entertainment reference summaries and fan biographies.
- Most-cited weight: 230 lb (104 kg) - common in biographical listings.
- Reported range: 220-240 lb (100-109 kg) - appears across multiple profiles and fan pages.
- Height (context): 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) - which explains why a 220-240 lb range was visually plausible on screen.
Contextual background
Fred Gwynne, born July 10, 1926, gained public attention for roles that emphasized his physical presence-most famously Herman Munster on The Munsters-and his listed weight is usually reported in actor directories to explain his on-screen stature.
Primary sources and how data are compiled
Published actor directories, fan encyclopedias, and later online biographies compile measurements from press kits, interviews, and studio publicity; these compiled figures-while not medical records-are the basis for the commonly-cited 230 lb value.
Detailed data table
| Metric | Most-cited value | Alternative reported values | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | 6'5" | Biographical listings / filmography pages |
| Weight (typical) | 230 lb (104 kg) | 220-240 lb (100-109 kg) | Actor profiles / fan biographies |
| Birthdate | July 10, 1926 | - | Biographies / encyclopedias |
| Date of death | July 2, 1993 | - | Obituaries / film references |
Why reported weights vary
Publicly reported weight figures for actors often vary because studios, press kits, and publicity materials were sometimes rounded or stated semi-anecdotally; this practice results in the small spread (about 20 lb) seen in Fred Gwynne's reported numbers.
- Press rounding: Studios and press materials historically rounded numbers for simplicity and image reasons, producing repeated but slightly different figures.
- Career changes: An actor's weight can fluctuate across roles and decades, so values listed in 1960s publicity may differ from later biographical summaries.
- Secondary reporting: Many modern online pages aggregate earlier sources rather than consult primary medical/agency records, which can perpetuate small inconsistencies.
Historical illustration
On-screen costume and character design for Herman Munster emphasized an imposing silhouette; the production's wardrobe and prosthetics were created to fit a tall, broad actor, and contemporaneous publicity described Gwynne as having a large frame, consistent with a 220-240 lb working weight.
Quoted references
"Gwynne's height and weight were often noted in contemporary publicity-his 6'5\" frame and heavy-set build helped define Herman Munster's physical comedy." - Sample biographical summary.
Practical takeaway for researchers
For citation or database use, list Gwynne's weight as approximately 230 lb (104 kg) with a parenthetical range of 220-240 lb to reflect source variation; this balances precision with documented uncertainty.
Quick facts (timeline-style)
Fred Gwynne was born July 10, 1926, rose to fame through television in the late 1950s-1960s, and passed away July 2, 1993; the weight most frequently attributed to him during his prime career years is 230 lb.
Example citation-ready line
Use this single-line entry if you need a concise, citable data point: "Fred Gwynne - Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm); Weight (commonly reported): 230 lb (104 kg)."
Notes on verification
Researchers seeking absolute confirmation should consult archived studio press kits, original newspaper interviews from the 1960s, or library microfilm of entertainment trade publications, which are the most likely sources to include contemporary, attribution-ready measurements.
Key concerns and solutions for Fred Gwynnes Weight The Numbers Fans Recall
How exact is 230 lb?
230 lb is a consensus figure reproduced by multiple entertainment biographies and fan-reference pages, but it is not a primary medical record; treat it as a reliable working value for biographical and editorial purposes.
Did Fred Gwynne's weight change for roles?
There is no well-documented evidence showing major intentional weight changes between his major TV/film roles, although normal adult variation across decades could explain minor differences in reported figures.
Are there primary records confirming weight?
Publicly accessible primary medical records confirming exact weight are not standardly published; available public data come from press materials and compiled biographies.
Why do some pages list different kilogram values?
Different pages sometimes convert pounds to kilograms using different rounding rules (e.g., 220 lb → 99.8 kg rounded to 100 kg), creating variation in reported kg values even when the underlying lb figure is similar.
Which source is most reliable?
Contemporary studio press kits and major biographical references are preferable; modern aggregator sites should be cross-checked against those earlier materials where possible.
Where did the 220-240 lb range come from?
The 220-240 lb span aggregates several actor-profile entries and fan sites that list slightly different rounded numbers; this range reflects consensus rather than contradiction.
Should databases record an exact kilogram value?
Record the pounds as the primary figure and include a converted kilogram value rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g., 230 lb ≈ 104 kg) to avoid conversion discrepancies.