Was The Role Of "Uncle Fester" A Step Down in The Career of Jackie Coogan? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-08-2011, 09:58 PM

I don't mean this to disrespect the show 'The Addams Family,' but Jackie Coogan was a world famous movie actor. Did Jackie ever feel resentment towards the role or did fans of his work find it his lowest point?

old grouch · 01-08-2011, 10:34 PM

I don't think that it was a step down. Jackie's career as a child star working with the likes of Charlie Chaplin was long over. He needed to redefine himself as a character actor in order to stay in show business. And he seemed to be having a lot of fun as Uncle Fester.

Mr. Television · 01-09-2011, 12:59 AM

I don't think it's ever a step down when you are remembered fondly by fans for a role you played over 40 years ago. He was in many great movies in the silent era but He'll always be known as Uncle Fester, one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time.

OH Nuts! · 01-10-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I don't think it's ever a step down when you are remembered fondly by fans for a role you played over 40 years ago. He was in many great movies in the silent era but He'll always be known as Uncle Fester, one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time.

I agree. Fester was a great role and the Addam's Family is an enduring sitcom. So I guess this more of a lateral move - certainly not a step back.

broadmoor · 01-12-2011, 02:22 AM

Nope, it was a good role for him at the time. His super-stardom was way back in the 1920s, when he was a kid. I don't want to say his pre-AF career in the 50s/early-60s was entirely moribund, but it wasn't any great shakes. Getting onto "The Addams Family" certainly seemed to re-charge his career and name-value as a character actor.

Coffeecup · 10-15-2014, 11:33 AM

Actually it could have been a STEP UP. Prior to Addams Family I hadn't seen him in anything in the earlier 20 years . Later did see him in Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family. He might needed the money.

01-08-2011, 09:58 PM	#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	Was The Role Of "Uncle Fester" A Step Down in The Career of Jackie Coogan? I don't mean this to disrespect the show 'The Addams Family,' but Jackie Coogan was a world famous movie actor. Did Jackie ever feel resentment towards the role or did fans of his work find it his lowest point?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-09-2011, 12:59 AM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	I don't think it's ever a step down when you are remembered fondly by fans for a role you played over 40 years ago. He was in many great movies in the silent era but He'll always be known as Uncle Fester, one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time.
	__________________ Sonny

10-15-2014, 11:33 AM	#6
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	Actually it could have been a STEP UP. Prior to Addams Family I hadn't seen him in anything in the earlier 20 years . Later did see him in Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family. He might needed the money.
	Last edited by Coffeecup; 11-12-2016 at 12:18 PM.

01-08-2011, 10:34 PM	#2
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I don't think that it was a step down. Jackie's career as a child star working with the likes of Charlie Chaplin was long over. He needed to redefine himself as a character actor in order to stay in show business. And he seemed to be having a lot of fun as Uncle Fester.

01-12-2011, 02:22 AM	#5
broadmoor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 10, 2010 Location: texas Posts: 489	Nope, it was a good role for him at the time. His super-stardom was way back in the 1920s, when he was a kid. I don't want to say his pre-AF career in the 50s/early-60s was entirely moribund, but it wasn't any great shakes. Getting onto "The Addams Family" certainly seemed to re-charge his career and name-value as a character actor.