'Addams Family' Update... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-08-2008, 09:51 AM

....for those who don't know what happened to the cast after the show went off the air.

Since more than 40 years have passed since the show's heyday, many of its regulars are dead. Ted Cassidy, who played the butler Lurch, died in 1979 after heart surgery. Carolyn Jones (Morticia) died of cancer in 1983.

Jackie Coogan (Fester) died of a heart attack in 1984. Blossom Rock (Grandmama) died in 1978. Lots of showbiz history in those two. Coogan was a famous child star, and the Coogan Law protecting money made by child actors is named for him. (Coogan's family had spent his movie income.) Rock was the sister of the actress-singer Jeanette MacDonald.

At this writing, John Astin (Gomez) is still with us and still working. Ken Weatherwax (Pugsley) was pretty much done with acting by the late '70s but has worked on the crew for various productions as well as appearing at TV and movie conventions along with Felix Silla (Cousin Itt) and Lisa Loring (Wednesday), whose last screen role was more than 15 years ago.

OH Nuts! · 05-17-2008, 11:23 AM

Cool news Brian. Outside of Jackie Coogan, didn't know any of this at all!

treky · 05-18-2008, 03:12 AM

I knew that about Jackie Coogan. In fact; he starred with Charlie Chaplin in the classic movie "THE KID" sometime in the 1920s.

And John Astin was married to Patty Duke sometime in the 80s, he also starred in a short lived sitcom on ABC called "OPERATION PETTICOAT" in 1978; which was based on a movie that starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. It was only on for 2 seasons; but he was only in the first season. And he appeared on the show "NIGHT COURT" a couple times in the 80s.

tiff7 · 06-09-2008, 04:40 PM

yeah I knew about Carolyn, Ted & John. thanks 4 the news about the rest of the gang. wish they were still w/us.

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05-08-2008, 09:51 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Addams Family' Update... ....for those who don't know what happened to the cast after the show went off the air. Since more than 40 years have passed since the show's heyday, many of its regulars are dead. Ted Cassidy, who played the butler Lurch, died in 1979 after heart surgery. Carolyn Jones (Morticia) died of cancer in 1983. Jackie Coogan (Fester) died of a heart attack in 1984. Blossom Rock (Grandmama) died in 1978. Lots of showbiz history in those two. Coogan was a famous child star, and the Coogan Law protecting money made by child actors is named for him. (Coogan's family had spent his movie income.) Rock was the sister of the actress-singer Jeanette MacDonald. At this writing, John Astin (Gomez) is still with us and still working. Ken Weatherwax (Pugsley) was pretty much done with acting by the late '70s but has worked on the crew for various productions as well as appearing at TV and movie conventions along with Felix Silla (Cousin Itt) and Lisa Loring (Wednesday), whose last screen role was more than 15 years ago.
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05-18-2008, 03:12 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I knew that about Jackie Coogan. In fact; he starred with Charlie Chaplin in the classic movie "THE KID" sometime in the 1920s. And John Astin was married to Patty Duke sometime in the 80s, he also starred in a short lived sitcom on ABC called "OPERATION PETTICOAT" in 1978; which was based on a movie that starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. It was only on for 2 seasons; but he was only in the first season. And he appeared on the show "NIGHT COURT" a couple times in the 80s.
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06-09-2008, 04:40 PM	#4
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	yeah I knew about Carolyn, Ted & John. thanks 4 the news about the rest of the gang. wish they were still w/us. http://www.myspace.com/wdwdancetwirlnut
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05-17-2008, 11:23 AM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Cool news Brian. Outside of Jackie Coogan, didn't know any of this at all!