Ken Weatherwax (Pugsley) 1955-2014 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 12-08-2014, 12:49 PM

Link

According to several social media sources, including the actor's niece, Ken Weatherwax, the actor who played Pugsley on TV’s ‘The Addams Family,” and later worked behind the scenes in movies, has died. He was 59 years old.

Weatherwax played the chubby boy of the Addams Family on the popular TV series (1964-1966). His contribution has continued to maintain popularity, via reruns, with new generations of fans. Unable to find acting work after the series ended, Weatherwax returned to public school and endured mocking from other students, which he reacted to negatively. He was kicked out of several schools and enlisted in the army at age 17. He later found steady, productive work building sets for films.

Not bitter about his lack of continued acting roles, Weatherwax always recalled the Addams Family as a good experience, and as an adult was happy to be recognized by fans. He would appear at autograph shows regularly. He has appeared in Addams Family tribute shows and reunions, and also has been interviewed in documentaries about the series, and about TV during the sixties. Weatherwax has also appeared on Fox network’s “O’Reilly Factor,” discussing the difficulties he had after the series ended, and how his life turned around once he entered the army.

Weatherwax’s aunt was actress and dancer Ruby Keeler. His brother Joey Viera is an actor who, as Donald Keeler, played Porky on the first three seasons of Lassie with the late Tommy Rettig.

The social media sources indicate that Ken Weatherwax died in his sleep on Sunday morning, December 7, 2014. With his passing, the only regular cast members from The Addams Family still living are John Astin, Lisa Loring, and Felix Silla.

Facebook post from his niece

Link

JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY UNCLE KEN WEATHERWAX ( PLEASE LOOK HIM UP) WHO PLAYED PUGSLEY FROM THE ADDAM'S FAMILY DIED TODAY FROM A HEART ATTACK. SO WHEN YOU HEAR THE THEME SONG PLEASE THINK OF ME!!!......LOL!........ YOU WILL SEE HIM ON TMZ AND THE NEWS.......... RIP UNCLE!....... LOVE YOU!!.....XOXO

Bonniegirl · 12-08-2014, 01:16 PM

OMG!! Too young to pass away ! RIP Ken!

Marvo301 · 12-08-2014, 03:05 PM

Ken Weatherwax

comedyfreak · 12-08-2014, 03:24 PM

Aww, very sad to learn of his passing. RIP Ken.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-08-2014, 07:00 PM

This is sad. I've always been a fan of The Addams Family. I wish his family and friends all the best.

Mr. Television · 12-08-2014, 07:02 PM

Very sad. He was so young too and it looks like it was sudden. R.I.P. Ken. Thanks for the memories.

king of comedy · 12-08-2014, 07:29 PM

R.I.P. Ken. You will be missed.

HauntedThunderman94 · 12-08-2014, 07:49 PM

RIP Ken Weatherwax

80sTrivia · 12-08-2014, 07:53 PM

Sad to hear of his passing at such a young age...

Mr. Television · 12-08-2014, 08:45 PM

Ken Weatherwax on "The O'Reilly Factor" in 2008.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nU_MPU5oaI

Flying Dutchman · 12-08-2014, 08:51 PM

It's a sad day for us. Rest In Peace Ken.

Zoneboy · 12-08-2014, 08:59 PM

Link

NEW YORK (AP) — Ken Weatherwax, who played the child character Pugsley on "The Addams Family" television series in the 1960s, has died. He was 59.

Weatherwax died of a heart attack at his Box Canyon, California, home over the weekend, said Joey D. Vieira, his half brother. Weatherwax's body was found on Sunday.

Pugsley, the son of Gomez and Morticia, was a member of the family of macabre oddballs in the television series, which aired on ABC from 1964 to 1966 with its familiar, finger-snapping theme song.

He stayed in show business after he grew up, although on the other side of the camera. Weatherwax worked as a grip on the sets of several Hollywood productions, said Vieira, a former actor himself who played the character Porky in the original "Lassie" series.

Weatherwax retired a few years ago for medical reasons, Vieira said.

Babalu · 12-08-2014, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Ken Weatherwax on "The O'Reilly Factor" in 2008.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nU_MPU5oaI

Thanks very much for that. I've never seen it. I loved the Addams Family but always felt sorry for Ken because he was a pretty wooden actor and so, well, Pugsley. Not surprised he changed his appearance as much as possible. RIP Ken.

Evil Zebra · 12-08-2014, 09:35 PM

R.I.P. KEN

misskate1990 · 12-08-2014, 09:41 PM

R.I.P

12-08-2014, 12:49 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Ken Weatherwax (Pugsley) 1955-2014 Link According to several social media sources, including the actor's niece, Ken Weatherwax, the actor who played Pugsley on TV’s ‘The Addams Family,” and later worked behind the scenes in movies, has died. He was 59 years old. Weatherwax played the chubby boy of the Addams Family on the popular TV series (1964-1966). His contribution has continued to maintain popularity, via reruns, with new generations of fans. Unable to find acting work after the series ended, Weatherwax returned to public school and endured mocking from other students, which he reacted to negatively. He was kicked out of several schools and enlisted in the army at age 17. He later found steady, productive work building sets for films. Not bitter about his lack of continued acting roles, Weatherwax always recalled the Addams Family as a good experience, and as an adult was happy to be recognized by fans. He would appear at autograph shows regularly. He has appeared in Addams Family tribute shows and reunions, and also has been interviewed in documentaries about the series, and about TV during the sixties. Weatherwax has also appeared on Fox network’s “O’Reilly Factor,” discussing the difficulties he had after the series ended, and how his life turned around once he entered the army. Weatherwax’s aunt was actress and dancer Ruby Keeler. His brother Joey Viera is an actor who, as Donald Keeler, played Porky on the first three seasons of Lassie with the late Tommy Rettig. The social media sources indicate that Ken Weatherwax died in his sleep on Sunday morning, December 7, 2014. With his passing, the only regular cast members from The Addams Family still living are John Astin, Lisa Loring, and Felix Silla. Facebook post from his niece Link JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY UNCLE KEN WEATHERWAX ( PLEASE LOOK HIM UP) WHO PLAYED PUGSLEY FROM THE ADDAM'S FAMILY DIED TODAY FROM A HEART ATTACK. SO WHEN YOU HEAR THE THEME SONG PLEASE THINK OF ME!!!......LOL!........ YOU WILL SEE HIM ON TMZ AND THE NEWS.......... RIP UNCLE!....... LOVE YOU!!.....XOXO
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12-08-2014, 03:05 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Ken Weatherwax
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12-08-2014, 03:24 PM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Aww, very sad to learn of his passing. RIP Ken.
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12-08-2014, 07:00 PM	#5
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,252	This is sad. I've always been a fan of The Addams Family. I wish his family and friends all the best.
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12-08-2014, 07:02 PM	#6
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Very sad. He was so young too and it looks like it was sudden. R.I.P. Ken. Thanks for the memories.
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12-08-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,398	OMG!! Too young to pass away ! RIP Ken!

12-08-2014, 07:29 PM	#7
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	R.I.P. Ken. You will be missed.

12-08-2014, 07:49 PM	#8
HauntedThunderman94 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 09, 2013 Posts: 495	RIP Ken Weatherwax

12-08-2014, 07:53 PM	#9
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Sad to hear of his passing at such a young age...
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12-08-2014, 08:45 PM	#10
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Ken Weatherwax on "The O'Reilly Factor" in 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nU_MPU5oaI

12-08-2014, 08:51 PM	#11
Flying Dutchman Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,266	It's a sad day for us. Rest In Peace Ken.

12-08-2014, 08:59 PM	#12
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Link NEW YORK (AP) — Ken Weatherwax, who played the child character Pugsley on "The Addams Family" television series in the 1960s, has died. He was 59. Weatherwax died of a heart attack at his Box Canyon, California, home over the weekend, said Joey D. Vieira, his half brother. Weatherwax's body was found on Sunday. Pugsley, the son of Gomez and Morticia, was a member of the family of macabre oddballs in the television series, which aired on ABC from 1964 to 1966 with its familiar, finger-snapping theme song. He stayed in show business after he grew up, although on the other side of the camera. Weatherwax worked as a grip on the sets of several Hollywood productions, said Vieira, a former actor himself who played the character Porky in the original "Lassie" series. Weatherwax retired a few years ago for medical reasons, Vieira said.

12-08-2014, 09:35 PM	#14
Evil Zebra Friend of the late Dana Plato Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2014 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,745	R.I.P. KEN

12-08-2014, 09:41 PM	#15
misskate1990 I'm Not Mean I'm Crusty" Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2008 Location: Lanford Posts: 82	R.I.P
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