Del Monroe is a talented actor, perhaps most notably recognized for his portrayal of Seaman Kowalski in the 1961 film "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and its subsequent television series adaptation, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964).
As he embarked on his journey in the film, Monroe was thrilled to play the role of a seaman in the big-budget production. However, during filming, he noticed what he believed to be a minor mistake on set. Courageously, he pointed it out to producer Irwin Allen, not knowing whether this bold move would terminate his career on the spot.
Fortunately, Allen did not take offense, and instead, he offered Monroe the opportunity to reprise his role in the television series, which spanned four seasons from 1964 to 1968.
Throughout his time on the show, Monroe expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse range of plots, from Cold War espionage to monstrous sea creatures, and even enjoyed the shift in tone from an adult-oriented sci-fi series to a more child-friendly approach in subsequent seasons.
Notably, in the third season, Monroe had a significant role in the episode "Deadly Waters," where his character confronted the challenges of his troubled brother. The following year, he took center stage in the episode "The Deadly Amphibian," in which he was possessed by a deadly undersea creature.
In the final season, Monroe was given another chance to showcase his acting skills in "The Return of Blackbeard," where he was required to embody the character of a swashbuckling pirate. Although the episode did not resonate with viewers, Monroe continued to work with Irwin Allen on other television projects, including an appearance in "The Time Tunnel" (1966).
After "Voyage," Monroe made guest appearances in various television series, including "Wonder Woman" (1975). He also returned to the big screen with a role in "Speedway Junky" (1999),playing an aged veteran at the beginning of the film.
In 2004, Monroe was reunited with fellow "Voyage" cast members at a convention, where he was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from fans celebrating the 40th anniversary of the show.
