Patrick Lilley, a 7-year-old boy, accompanied his sister to an Amos Carr photo shoot in 1960. Although his sister was the main subject, it was his photo that would eventually be displayed in the Hollywood Blvd. window. His agent Mary Grady and mother Patti created his stage name, Butch Patrick, a combination of his nickname and real first name. This name has stuck with him for over 50 years.
Butch's early career began with a bang, landing his first three auditions. He starred in the B-movie "The Two Little Bears" (1961) alongside Eddie Albert and Jane Wyatt. He then appeared in the popular TV series "General Hospital" (1963) and a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial. In the early 1960s, Butch worked on numerous popular TV shows, including "Mister Ed," "My Favorite Martian," "The Untouchables," "The Detectives," "Ben Casey," "Rawhide," "Gunsmoke," and "Bonanza."
In 1964, Butch received a call to audition for a role in a new TV series. He flew to CBS Studio Center for a screen test with Yvonne De Carlo and was cast as Edward Wolfgang Munster in "The Munsters" (1964). This role would make him a household name and cement his status as a beloved TV character.
Butch's iconic character, Eddie Munster, is still widely recognized today, and the Munster family's address, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, is a beloved trivia question. After a two-year stint on "The Munsters," Butch appeared in various TV shows and films, including "The Young Loner" (1968) and "My Three Sons" (1960). He also worked on several westerns, movies, and commercials.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Butch continued to work in TV and film, appearing in shows such as "Adam 12," "Marcus Welby M.D.," and "Ironside." He also starred in the feature film "The Sandpit Generals" (1971) and worked on the TV show "Lidsville" (1971).
After leaving Hollywood, Butch pursued his passion for music, forming the band "Eddie and the Monsters" and releasing a video on MTV. He also appeared on shows such as "American Bandstand" and "The Dating Game."
In the 1980s, Butch struggled with addiction and eventually sought help. He has been clean and sober for nearly 10 years and now works with people struggling with addiction issues. He married Leila Murray in 2016 and continues to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in indie films and giving back to the industry that launched his career.
