The Addams Family proved a smash hit when it debuted in black and white back in 1964.
For such an old horror sitcom, it makes sense that plenty of the lead actors wouldn’t have made it all the way to 2023, and in fact family patriarch Gomez Addams, played by John Astin, is the only one still alive.
But in a curse strange enough to echo the family itself, many of the stars died way before their time.
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Only 46 when he died, Ted Cassidy – best known for playing hulking Lurch in the series – died after undergoing open-heart surgery.
Meanwhile, Morticia Addams actress Carolyn Jones died at only 50 years old after battling cancer.
Daily Star takes a look into the ‘curse’ lurking on the old programme.
Carolyn Jones – Morticia Addams
(Image: Getty Images)
In 1983, the news broke that the original Morticia Addams star Carolyn Jones had passed away at her home in West Hollywood after falling into a coma.
She was diagnosed with colon cancer and bravely starred in US soap Capitol despite her illness, while undergoing aggressive treatment.
(Image: Getty Images)
Sadly, she was eventually told the cancer was terminal – but instead of quitting acting, Carolyn carried on despite requiring a wheelchair and being in “great pain”.
Her IMDb profile reads: “Although they knew she was dying, she married her boyfriend of five years, Peter Bailey-Britton, in September 1982. She died on August 3, 1983. Jones told her sister that she wanted her epitaph to be ‘She gave joy to the world.'”
Lisa Loring – Wednesday Addams
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Best known for playing the original Wednesday Addams in the sitcom from 1964 until 1966, Lisa died in January 2023 at Providence St Joseph Medical Centre in Burbank, California.
She was 64.
She had suffered a “massive stroke” caused by smoking and high blood pressure, and died from complications after three days on life support, her daughter confirmed.
Lisa had battled substance abuse throughout her life, becoming addicted to heroin and attempting to overdose after finding a 33-year-old friend’s body hanging dead in her home.
Ken Weatherwax – Pugsley Addams
(Image: Zuma/REX/Shutterstock)
Known for playing the loveable Pugsley Addams in the 1960s show, Ken Weatherwax died aged 59 back in 2014.
The former child star died of “natural causes” according to the Ventura County Coroner’s Office, with his niece telling fans he suffered a heart attack.
She wrote: “Just want to let you know that my uncle Ken Weatherwax who played Pugsley from The Addams Family died today from a heart attack.
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
“So when you hear the theme song please think of me! You will see him on TMZ and the news… RIP uncle, love you.”
Ken struggled to find other acting roles after The Addams Family ended, and pursued a career in the military before becoming a Hollywood set builder.
Ted Cassidy – Lurch
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
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In 1979 came the tragic death of Lurch star Ted Cassidy, who was only 46 years old.
He died following complications from open-heart surgery to remove a non-malignant tumour at St Vincent’s Hospital in California. He was released from hospital, but returned shortly after and died there.
Ted was cremated after a memorial service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.
He left behind a young son and daughter, Sean and Cameron.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
