The dark reality behind child star Butch Patrick's life after The Munsters

One of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1960s was The Munsters, which followed a supernatural family living in suburban America. The sitcom made household names of its cast, which included Butch Patrick as a young werewolf.

The role was Butch's first big break after appearing in the likes of The Two Little Bears, Hand of Death and Mister Ed. After starring in all 70 episodes of the sitcom, he also played the character on the big screen, appearing in 1966's Munster, Go Home!.

The star also appeared in the 2022 film reboot of The Munsters, providing the voice of the Tin Can Man.

After The Munsters came to an end, Butch, who is now 73, continued to act, appearing in I Dream of Jeannie, The Smith Family and The Sandpit Generals. However, during the 1970s, the star started to put his acting career on the back burner.

Here's what happened to Butch…

Butch Patrick's career after The Munsters

Although he continued as a relatively successful actor for many years after his breakout role, Butch eventually shifted his focus away from Hollywood.

After initially working for his father, Butch developed an interest in music, specifically the bass guitar. This led to him releasing his own single in 1983, Whatever Happened to Eddie?, which was set to the sitcom's theme song and detailed his life as a child actor.

Speaking to The Seattle Times in 2004 about his career after the show, he explained: "Basically, my dad owned a gambling casino and I learned the gaming industry, and I've been a spokesman for various Vegas stuff over the years. Plus I've had little businesses here and there.

"I've bought and sold muscle cars and did a lot of personal appearances here and there. I've helped develop some ideas into celebrity-related promotional stuff. I did a thing called 'Hollywood 101' teaching people how to get into show business."

Butch returned to acting in 1991, appearing in Scary Movie and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He has since appeared in several indie horror films, including It Came from Trafalgar, Young Blood: Evil Intentions and He Drives at Night.

Butch Patrick's personal life

On 11 September 2016, Butch married his long-time partner Leila Murray, exchanging vows at The Macon Roundhouse in Macon, Missouri.

Speaking to People after the ceremony, Leila said: "Butch and I had an amazing day with family and friends, some of whom travelled from far and near. We can't express enough of our gratitude to family and friends and newfound Macon friends."

In an interview with OWN in 2016, Butch also revealed that he struggled with addiction issues for 40 years, noting: "I was functioning, but I wasn't thriving."

He eventually got clean in 2010 when he checked himself into a rehab clinic. He said: "Nobody ever tells celebrities no. Nobody told Michael Jackson no. Nobody told Elvis no. They just don't want to say no because they want you to be their friend. So when people need help, unfortunately, the people closest to them won't say no."

His time in the rehab centre also saved his life in an unexpected way. During his treatment, it was discovered that he had prostate cancer, from which he has since made a full recovery.

"Had I not done it and had I not been getting sober, I would have ignored it," he told OWN. "I wouldn't be sitting here, wouldn't be in this house, wouldn't be alive. It doesn't get much bigger than that."