Shuler Hensley's Monster lifestyle

Arts and Culture

When he's not starring as the Monster in "Young Frankenstein," Marietta-born Shuler Hensley is at home with his family in a mammoth 6,500-square-foot mansion.

Shuler Hensley has found his calling on the Broadway stage. The Marietta-born actor has been in a string of critically acclaimed shows and currently stars as the Monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein."

The Olivier and Tony awards Hensley won for Trevor Nunn's revival of "Oklahoma!" sit on the mantle, a reminder of past triumphs. He has a chance to add to those accolades. He has been nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award for "Young Frankenstein," and when the Tony Award nominations are announced Tuesday, he likely will hear his name read again.

Hensley's success allowed him and his wife, Paula DeRosa-Hensley, to move from a cramped city apartment to a 6,500-square-foot mansion in New Jersey last year. They live there with their children, 7-year-old daughter Skyler and 4-year-old son Grayson.

Hensley uses his new sandwich press to make grilled cheese sandwiches with ham, tomato and jam for his children after school.

Hensley slips into monster mode when his children ask, "Will you come chase us around, Daddy?"

To commemorate "Young Frankenstein's" opening night, Hensley received a plaque with two door knockers in reference to a joke in the musical.

Hensley looks at a photo of the Tony Award winners. He's in it, but with all the faces, finding him is a lot like playing "Where's Waldo?"

A replica of the monster he played in "Van Helsing" that Hensley gave to his wife -- "instead of a wedding ring," he says -- sits on their kitchen counter. On the box he wrote, "To my darling wife, now & forever! Shuler Hensley."

Another of the mementos Hensley has from "Van Helsing" is the enormous fake hands he wore while filming. Universal Studios' special-effects department mailed them to him, and they rest atop the box they were shipped in.

Hensley has given up trying to remove the black fingernail polish he wears for the show.

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Shuler Hensley has found his calling on the Broadway stage. The Marietta-born actor has been in a string of critically acclaimed shows and currently stars as the Monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein."

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