The Addams Family has been a beloved staple in American pop culture for decades. The kooky, macabre family has been a favorite of fans of all ages since its inception in the 1930s as a series of comics. The family’s popularity skyrocketed in the 1960s when they were adapted into a successful TV series. However, the behind-the-scenes stories of the show are anything but spooky and delightful.
The Addams Family, despite being a comedy show, was often fraught with tension and drama. One of the most controversial aspects of the show was the on-set behavior of its star, John Astin, who played the patriarch of the family, Gomez Addams. According to reports, Astin was often combative with his co-stars and crew members, causing tensions to run high on set. There were even rumors that Astin was difficult to work with because he insisted on improvising many of his scenes, which would throw his co-stars off their game.
Another behind-the-scenes story from The Addams Family involves the casting of the character of Lurch, the family’s butler. Actor Ted Cassidy was originally hired to provide the voice for the character, but it was later decided that Cassidy would also physically portray Lurch. However, Cassidy’s massive frame made it difficult for him to move around in the costume, leading to multiple injuries on set. Cassidy was often seen covered in bruises and cuts, which led to concerns from the show’s producers.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing stories from The Addams Family set involves the show’s child actor, Lisa Loring, who played Wednesday Addams. According to reports, Loring was subjected to sexual harassment from one of the show’s crew members. The crew member would often make inappropriate comments to Loring and touch her inappropriately, which left her feeling uncomfortable and scared. Despite reporting the behavior to the show’s producers, no action was taken, and the harassment continued.
In addition to the tensions and drama on set, there were also several instances of accidents and injuries during the production of The Addams Family. One of the most notable accidents occurred during the filming of an episode in which Gomez Addams is supposed to swing a sword at a piñata. However, Astin missed the piñata and ended up swinging the sword into a light fixture, which shattered and rained down glass on the set. Several crew members were injured in the accident, and filming had to be halted for several days while they recovered.
Despite the dark behind-the-scenes stories from The Addams Family, the show remains a beloved classic. Its unique blend of comedy and horror has made it a favorite of audiences for generations. However, it’s important to remember that the show’s success came at a cost. The tension and drama on set, as well as the accidents and injuries that occurred, are a reminder that even the most beloved shows can have a dark side.
In conclusion, The Addams Family may have been a delightful and spooky comedy show, but behind the scenes, the atmosphere was often fraught with tension and drama. From John Astin’s combative behavior to Lisa Loring’s experience with sexual harassment, the show’s cast and crew experienced many difficulties during the production. Despite these issues, The Addams Family remains a beloved classic and a testament to the enduring popularity of the macabre and kooky.
