Beverley Owen, best known for playing the original Marilyn Munster on the first season of the 1960's sitcom, "The Munsters," has died. She was 81.
Her "Munsters" co-star, Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster, announced the news on Sunday, Feb. 24, writing on Facebook, "Beautiful Beverly Owen has left us. What a sweet soul. I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes."
Owen had been fighting a private battle with ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with back in January of 2017, but wished to keep the news private, the outlet reported.
Owen left "The Munsters" after 13 episodes to marry Jon Stone, the Emmy Award-winning producer and director of "Sesame Street." They had daughters Polly and Kate together.
Owen's role on the show was replaced by actress Pat Priest for the remainder of the series.
Owen's first role was in the 1956 "As the World Turns" CBS soap opera. She went on to appear in several other TV shows, including NBC's "The Doctor," "Wagon Train" and soap opera "Another World," before landing the role of Marilyn in "The Munsters," for which she gained recognition.
Fans took to social media to mourn Owen's passing.
One user wrote on Twitter, "RIP Beverley Owen. Thank you for the laughs and being a true Munster on the inside."
Another wrote, "Reports are coming in that actress Beverley Owen has died, this is very sad news as I grew up with her as the first in a long line of Marilyn Munsters. Nearly all of the Munsters may be gone, but they will never truly die for fans like me who grew up with the show."
"Rest in Peace, Beverley Owen," another wrote. "She was my favorite Marilyn. She gave up a successful TV career for love. Very admirable."